Locomotor stereotypy in visually deprived kittens

Abstract

Thirty-two kittens from nine litters were observed in home-cages during the first 8 months of life. Eighteen kittens were visually deprived from birth by means of double linen hoods, while 14 served as controls. In 6 of the deprived kittens locomotor stereotypy was observed. The kittens usually shuttled along the front of the cage. The episodes of stereotypy developed fully in the fourth month of life and occupied on the average from 19 to 40 percent of observation time in different kittens. The stereotypy was not observed in any of the control kittens. It is proposed that reduction of sensory stimulation by visual deprivation evokes in some kittens a compensatory mechanism of stereotyped walking which supplies some kinesthetic and tactile stimulation.