title: An apparatus for studying operant activity of captive coyotes.
abstract: We describe a portable apparatus designed to examine the free-operant food preferences of captive coyotes in their home kennels. Because lever-pressing for food access was the dependent variable, we measured food preference independently of food ingestion. Using successive approximation, we trained 8 out of 19 coyotes (42%) to use the apparatus. This percentage is similar to training rates for dogs. We used fixed and variable ratio schedules of reinforcement to further test 4 of the trained coyotes. All 4 produced response curves similar to those of other species on similar schedules of reinforcement.
authors.affiliation: Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5295, USA. mason@cscfs1.usu.edu
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Fowkes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior; D002335:Carnivora / Q000523:psychology*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012931:Social Environment