Danger at the waterhole

The effects of declining accessibility of water and risk of electric shock on drinking patterns in rats were examined. Rats chose between two conditions to obtain their daily intake of water. In one condition, accessibility of water decreased systematically. In the other condition, water was readily accessible, but responses occasionally were followed by electric shock. Both variables affected drinking patterns similarly. As accessibility to water decreased, the number of drinking bouts initiated decreased but the quantity of water consumed increased. In response to risk of electric shock, the number of drinking bouts decreased but bout size increased. Results are considered in light of findings by Fanselow, Lester, and Helmstetter, (1988), Collier, Hirsch, and Hamlin (1972), and Marwine and Collier (1979).