Inactive |
Sit |
Subject is resting on haunches, forelegs are braced. |
Stand |
Subject is stationary in a quadrupedal position. |
Lying down |
Subject is alert, with its body settled on substrate, either sternally, laterally or on back. Eyes are open. |
Asleep |
Subject with its body settled on substrate, either sternally, laterally or on back. Eyes are closed. |
Locomotion |
Walking |
Forward locomotion at a slow gait. Movement of opposite limbs, two limbs on ground. |
Running |
Forward locomotion in a rapid gait, which is faster than walking, all limbs may leave ground simultaneously. |
Swimming |
Subject propels itself through water using its legs. |
Climb |
Subject ascends and/or descends an object or structure. |
Exploratory |
Sniff |
Subject moves around attentively while sniffing the ground and/or objects. |
Manipulate object |
Subject uses any part of body to touch, hold, move, or pick up, an object. |
Flehmen |
Subject makes a grimaced facial expression, where the mouth is open, upper lip is elevated, and tongue may protrude out of the mouth. |
Maintenance |
Drink |
Subject ingests water (or other liquids) by lapping up with the tongue. |
Eat |
Subject ingests food (or other edible substances) by means of chewing with the teeth and swallowing. |
Urinate |
Subject releases urine on the ground while in a squatting position. |
Defecate |
Subject releases feces on the ground while in a squatting position. |
Sneeze |
Involuntary reflex, characterized by a rapid exhalation of air, accompanied by a characteristic sound. |
Vocalizations |
Vocalization |
Any emission of sound produced vocally by the animal, such as roars. |
Marking |
Urine spray |
Subject releases a jet of urine backwards against a vertical surface or object, while standing with tail raised vertically. |
Scraping |
Subject scraping on logs or other elements of the enclosure. |
Rub face |
Subject touches the face, starting with the lateral region of the mouth and exerts pressure, rubbing the head over elements of the enclosure. |
Training |
Training |
Subject participates in conditioning session. |
Interaction |
Agnostic interaction |
Animals interact aggressively, with attacks and teeth showing. |
Affiliative interaction |
Animals interact, through licking, playing, approximation. |
Reproductive interaction |
Any copulation-related interaction. |
Human interaction |
Subject approaches in the presence of humans, can rub its head on the enclosure grid |
Playful behavior |
Subject interacts with something in a “non-serious” manner, without any agonist behaviors. |
Calm |
Yawn |
Subject opens its mouth widely while inhaling, then closes mouth while exhaling deeply. |
Groom |
Subject cleans itself by licking, scratching, biting or chewing the fur on its body. May also include the licking of a front paw and wiping it over one’s head. |
Stretching |
Subject extends its forelegs while curving its back inwards. |
Roll |
Subject rotates body from one side to another, while lying on the ground. During the roll, the back is rubbed against ground, the belly is exposed and all paws are in the air. |
Stress indicator |
Pacing |
Subject walks from side to side, or repeatedly uses the same route of displacement, with no apparent goal. |
Suck / bite the tail |
Subject repeatedly licks, or bites the tail region. |