Sensory determinants of nipple-attachment behavior in 2-4-day-old kittens.

Fourteen kittens, 2-4 days of age, were studied on their anesthetized dams for nipple attachment behavior. In agreement with a previous report (Larson, M. A., & Stein, B. E., 1984, Dev. Psychobiol., 17: 423-436) we find that olfaction contributed rather little to nipple attachment in kittens. The major determinants appear to be tactile, centering in the mouth and trigeminal projection field. The behavior of kittens with temporary oral and/or trigeminal deafferentation is described in detail to provide some understanding of the contribution of each of those areas to nipple attachment in kittens.