Discrimination learning in the white rhinoceros

This study examined the ability of two adult white rhinoceroses ( Ceratotherium simum simum) to develop a visual discrimination between an open circle and a triangle. These stimuli were presented as black symbols on large white cards. The cards were presented 4.6 m apart and a food reward was given...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied animal behaviour science 1998-06, Vol.58 (1), p.197-202
Main Authors: Daniel, Joseph C, Mikulka, Peter J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ceratotherium simum
Ceratotherium simum simum
Learning
learning ability
Rhinoceros
training (animals)
vision
visual stimuli
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study examined the ability of two adult white rhinoceroses ( Ceratotherium simum simum) to develop a visual discrimination between an open circle and a triangle. These stimuli were presented as black symbols on large white cards. The cards were presented 4.6 m apart and a food reward was given if the subject approached the open circle. Ten discrimination choices were given daily until each subject reached the criterion of 80% correct responding over a block of 50 trials. The female reached the criterion over trials 151–200, while the male required considerably longer (trials 501–550). The male's discrimination was dramatically affected by a shift in the food reward. This study demonstrates that these rhinos were able to develop a successful discrimination and this protocol could be used to further examine their visual acuity.
ISSN:0168-1591
1872-9045
DOI:10.1016/S0168-1591(97)00123-8