Erb, Jeannette M
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Audience: Undergraduate. -- Dissertation: Thesis (B. A.). -- Algoma University, 1991. -- Submitted in partial fulfillment of course requirements for PSYC 4105. -- Includes figures. -- Contents: Literature review / Thesis.
Habitat Selection, an evolutionary trait, has been studied using habitat preference tests which found that animals prefer their natural habitats or their parents' natural habitats, if they themselves were raised in the laboratory. This study examined a species who has for numerous generations been raised in the laboratory to see if habitat preference still exists. The golden hamster, an animal that has been out of the wild for over 50 years, was used. Sixteen golden hamsters were randomly assigned to either an environment simulating their natural environment or a laboratory environment. After one week's experience in the environment a three day preference test was conducted in which each hamster was given a choice between the natural environment or the laboratory environment. Results indicate that the golden hamster still prefers its natural environment regardless of the environment in which it was given the experience. The study demonstrates that evolutionary traits persist for a long time.
