Reaction toward snakes as shown by the wood rat, Neotoma albigula.

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Abstract
The wood-rats were observed in a galvanized iron cage 3X2X2 ft. with a wire mesh top. Snakes (Pituophis catenifer) were introduced through an opening in one corner. The animals were observed especially for the thumping response (alarm) characteristic of this animal in the presence of a natural enemy, the snake. This response was not observed in animals less than 26 days old, and "this fear reaction expressed by thumping was given without the young having had previous experience with snakes, indicating that it is an inherited response developing by maturation." The response was not elicited by either small or large lizards, nor by snakes less than 24 cm. long. It was observed that "sight and odor are necessary for the initial alarm .... but the reaction would not continue typically unless movement and sound were perceived, the latter being important in maintaining the alarm.".

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