Infantile stimulation and exploratory behavior in the rat

Abstract Rats were handled (H) or left non‐handled (NH) prior to weaning. They were tested at approximately 35 days of age for 3 min/day, on 3 consecutive days, in a Y‐maze having 1 black/white striped arm and 2 gray arms. Ambulation scores were significantly lower for NH animals which showed a greater preference for the striped arm as measured in terms of initial choice and time spent in that arm. The inference is that here NH animals exhibit a greater tendency to explore than H animals; the opposite conclusion would have pertained if ambulation had been used as the sole measure of exploration.