Temperament and Problem Solving in the Small-Eared Bushbaby (Otolemur garnettii )

Bushbabies ( Otolemur garnettii ) were tested in an empty open field, with novel objects, and with a caged live snake. Each was also tested in the home cage on a latch-box problem. Principal-components analysis of novelty test scores revealed 4 factors (activity, curiosity, boldness, escape). Factor scores were collapsed into an index of behavioral inhibition and analyzed for group effects. Left-handed (LH) subjects were less inhibited than right-handed subjects. Underlying factor scores showed laterality effects only in activity: a main effect with LH subjects more active, an interaction with young, LH subjects higher on activity than other groups. The 17 subjects that solved the latch-box problem had higher scores on curiosity than the 18 that attempted but did not solve the problem.