Social and Sexual Behavior of the Rufous Elephant-Shrew (Elephantulus rufescens) in Captivity

Sexual behavior, behavioral changes associated with the estrous cycle, and the behavioral effects of changing mates are described for the monogamous Elephantulus rufescens. Sexual interactions were brief and facilitated by familiarity between the male and female. Several features of sexual behavior...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of mammalogy 1986-02, Vol.67 (1), p.112-119
Main Authors: Lumpkin, Susan, Koontz, Fred W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agonistic behavior
Animal ethology
Animals
Behavioral changes
Biological and medical sciences
Estrus
Estrus cycle
Female animals
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Male animals
Mammalia
Mating behavior
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Secretion
Social behavior
Vertebrata
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Summary:Sexual behavior, behavioral changes associated with the estrous cycle, and the behavioral effects of changing mates are described for the monogamous Elephantulus rufescens. Sexual interactions were brief and facilitated by familiarity between the male and female. Several features of sexual behavior differed from the typical conservative mammalian pattern. Except for sexual behaviors, the only dramatic behavioral change associated with the brief estrous period was an increase in vaginal marking by females that probably distributed a secretion containing a chemical signal of receptivity. There was also a decrease at estrus in female agonistic behavior toward males. New mates were readily accepted but there was a general increase in social behavior between newly paired males and females. Social and sexual behavior in elephant-shrews appears to be adapted to reducing predation risks.
ISSN:0022-2372
1545-1542
1545-1542
0022-2372
DOI:10.2307/1381007