Surface Texture Influences Environmental Preference and Locomotion in Behaving Rats

In rodents, the whiskers and paws are essential for somatosensory perception, yet their preference for specific textures remains unclear. Here, we examined the preference for rough versus smooth surfaces in rats using a custom open-field paradigm with a water-based motivator to ensure consistent and unbiased movement. We found that rats strongly preferred rough textures with longer interactions and increased dwell time. Notably, this preference persisted in darkness, confirming the tactile, but not visual, influence. These findings highlight the primacy of tactile input in behavioral choices and provide key insights into optimizing rodent environments.