Taste Preferences in the Cotton Rat (Sigmodon Hispidus)

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Abstract
This study focused on taste preferences in hispid cotton rats ( Sigmodon hispidus) as measured by 2-bottle, 48-hr. drinking tests. In a series of continuous tests, fluid intakes were recorded for 5 sugar solutions (fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose and lactose), 3 salt solutions (KCl, MgSO4 and NaCl), and 2 acid solutions. In an attempt to supplement incomplete and divergent comparative data on rodents' taste preferences, this study investigated sugar and salt preferences at five concentrations (.005, .05, .10, .50, and 1.0 M) and acid preferences at six concentrations (4.0, 2.3, 2.0, 1.8, 1.6, and 1.5 pH). Significant differences in concentration in intake of all salts, acids and sugars were noted. Significant sex differences were observed for intakes of sucrose and NaCl at several concentrations. All sugars were preferred maximally at .10 M. The salts NaCl and KCl were preferred maximally at .005 M and MgSO4 was preferred maximally at .05 M. The role of the sugars used in the experiment was discussed in terms of incentive values and possible reinforcers for later experiments.

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