TEMPERAMENTAL DIFFERENCES IN ALBINO RATS 



119 



SAVAGENESS OR VICIOUSNESS AS INDICATED BY THE 

 TENDENCY TO BITE 



As a means of testing the savageness of the rats, a copper 

 wire was thrust into the cage from the front and from above, 

 and the floor was scraped or scratched with it. Some individuals 

 would, at this, dash forward and bite viciously and persistently 

 at the wire, whereas others merely noticed the disturbance and 

 were otherwise indifferent to it. The method of grading this 

 behavior was similar to that used in the case of activity. 



The essential statistical data from these observations appear 

 as table 3. 



TABLE 3 

 Savageness or Viciousness (Biting) of Rats 



