Has any research been done on chinchillas and their memory? I observed some interesting behavior from Lady, and it made me start to wonder about long term memory verses instinct/conditioned responses.
I just got back from a 3 week vacation. When I put Lady back in her FN she ran to where her water bowl usually is and was looking for it, within an hour she was back to sleeping in her usual 'odd' spots. She also popcorned for awhile when I put her back in the cage.
I had cleaned the cage thoroughly before we left, so I don't think she just recognized her scent. She also got a lot of run time while we were on vacation. I didn't notice any popcorning then, so I don't think this was in response to just being in a larger space. I honestly think she recognized the cage, and knew she was home.
On the flip side she used to love my boyfriend, she used to groom and chirp at him when she lived at his place. Now she only sees him every 4 - 6 months. In the beginning of a visit she displays all the behavior of meeting a new person. She is nervous around him and makes a high pitched cry/squeal noise for a few days whenever he approaches the cage.
Has anyone ever witnessed behavior that led to conclusions about a chinchilla's memory?
I just got back from a 3 week vacation. When I put Lady back in her FN she ran to where her water bowl usually is and was looking for it, within an hour she was back to sleeping in her usual 'odd' spots. She also popcorned for awhile when I put her back in the cage.
I had cleaned the cage thoroughly before we left, so I don't think she just recognized her scent. She also got a lot of run time while we were on vacation. I didn't notice any popcorning then, so I don't think this was in response to just being in a larger space. I honestly think she recognized the cage, and knew she was home.
On the flip side she used to love my boyfriend, she used to groom and chirp at him when she lived at his place. Now she only sees him every 4 - 6 months. In the beginning of a visit she displays all the behavior of meeting a new person. She is nervous around him and makes a high pitched cry/squeal noise for a few days whenever he approaches the cage.
Has anyone ever witnessed behavior that led to conclusions about a chinchilla's memory?