Thigmotaxis is a behavioral response to tactile stimuli, referring to an organism's movement in reaction to physical contact with surfaces or objects. It manifests as wall‑following or centrophobic behavior, where animals tend to stay near perimeters in enclosed spaces. The response is genetically grounded and observed across species, including rodents, insects, and fish. Positive thigmotaxis involves moving toward or staying in contact with a surface, often for shelter or safety, while negative thigmotaxis involves moving away from contact. Mechanisms involve mechanoreceptors such as tactile receptors in vertebrates or setae and antennae in invertebrates, which relay sensory input to the nervous system to trigger motor responses. Researchers use thigmotaxis as an assay for anxiety, stress, and navigation in animal models.
