Exploration and play with objects in domestic kittens.
The responses of 12 kittens to unfamiliar and familiar objects was tested. Four categories of behavior were measured: exploration, play-exploration, play, and non-manipulatory contact. The results indicated that exploration and play-exploration were used for longer durations with unfamiliar objects and play was used for longer durations with familiar objects. Rank-order correlations between the measures showed that objects explored were not correlated with objects played with or play-explored. Analyses of the rankings revealed that small size and mobility were important object properties of play. The results suggest that exploration involves learning about stimulus properties, play-exploration involves learning about perceptual-motor properties, and play involves learning to coordinate movements with those of moving objects.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002415:Cats; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D013997:Time Factors