Olfactory Cues and Sand Digging by Male Mice

Abstract

Male Swiss-Webster mice (N = 30) had access to a sand filled tube for 30 min. on 12 consecutive days. On Days 1 to 6 they dug sand that was clean, contained their own scent or was scented by other males. Ss dug significantly more scented (both own and other scented) than clean sand (F = 6.31, p < 01) and dug the scented sand at significantly faster rates (F = 4.05, p < .05). On Days 6—12 half the Ss in each group were switched to either clean or differently scented sand. No significant group differences were found although changes from scented to clean sand did depress the amount and rate of digging. Sand-digging studies have been used to test various motivational hypotheses, the present study illustrates the need for olfactory controls in such research and suggests the use of sand digging to study pheromones in mice.