Abstract
Graze is a user friendly, Microsoft Windows 95/NT program for analyzing jaw movement recordings taken with the IGER Behavior Recorder. The program displays a plot of the jaw movement amplitude (vertical axis) against time (horizontal axis). Individual jaw movements can be automatically identified, using amplitude and frequency criteria specified by the user. Bouts of jaw movements can then be analyzed and are automatically identified as either grazing or ruminating. Behaviors other than grazing and ruminating (such as drinking or eating supplements) can also be identified and marked by the user. Identified jaw movements and bouts of behavior are superimposed on the jaw data display. Finally, the user can perform a bout analysis, which discriminates between bites and chews during eating and generates a summary file.
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Graze was developed as part of a project funded by the U.K. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food. The IGER Behavior Recorder and Graze are commercially available from Ultra Sound Advice Ltd. (details from the Website at www.ultrasoundadvice.co.uk). The author has a financial interest in these products.
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Rutter, S.M. Graze: A program to analyze recordings of the jaw movements of ruminants. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers 32, 86–92 (2000). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03200791
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03200791