The discriminative ability of the painted turtle
Abstract
Investigated the discrimination ability of the painted turtle (Chrysemys marginata). The apparatus used in all tests was a modification of the electric-box apparatus of R. M Yerkes (1907). Seven turtles were involved in 3 sets of experiments dealing with discrimination between: black and white; 2 patterns of different shape and form; 2 series of parallel lines running in different directions; and 2 series of lines of different width. The turtles were trained for 3 to 6 mo before the experiments were conducted. They were subjected to 10 successive trials per day. It was found that the turtles learned to discriminate between black and white; and between 2 series of lines with different widths and running in different directions. It was concluded that the painted turtles are not rapid learners. They showed marked individual differences in disposition and mental ability.