Elsevier

Animal Behaviour

Volume 19, Issue 4, November 1971, Pages 714-721
Animal Behaviour

The agonistic behaviour of the golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus (waterhouse)

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-3472(71)80175-6Get rights and content

Abstract

In encounters between a resident hamster (in its own cage) and an introduced stranger, a standard sequence of acts and postures was detected. Factors such as the time of day may affect the intensity of the agonistic behaviour, but do not seem to change the basic pattern, which is probably applicable to all situations. Agonistic encounters are resolved by one animal becoming dominant while the other reacts defensively and becomes submissive as shown by Retreat and the full Submissive posture. Retreat may supervene at any stage, thus abbreviating an encounter. Other variations are similarly interpreted as modifications of the basic pattern. The resident hamster does not always become dominant. In these observations it was more often the submissive animal. Submissive residents showed some behaviour which appeared to be due to a ‘conflict’ situation.

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Present address: Science Department, North-East Essex Technical College, Colchester, Essex.

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