Temperature preference in golden hamsters

The preference of pre- and post-hibernative hamsters for relatively cool (8 °C) or relatively warm (19 °C or 24 °C) environmental temperatures was tested in a T-maze using the method of forced choice to equate number of visits to, and total time spent in, each environment. The findings of the experiment were (1) pre-hibernative hamsters show a marked preference for an 8 °C environment to either a 19 ° or 24 °C environment, and (2) following arousal there occurs a shift in preference on the part of the hamsters to a 24 °C environment over one of 8 °C. The significance of these results is discussed in terms of possible purposive thermoregulatory behaviours.