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Species: Gerenuk
Use: General Activity
Authors: Dr.Tammie Bettinger, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Methods: N/A
Publications/Presentations: N.AGeneral Behaviors- These will be the most commonly scored activities.
Approach (AP): One animal moves within 2 body lengths of another.
Near-approach (Nap): One animal walks toward another but either veers off or the other moves further away.
Move away (MA): One animal moves at least 2 body lengths away from the other animal.
Move (M): Subject travels from one location to another.
Stiff trot (ST): subject moves along at a trot with legs stiff.
Stilt walk (SW): Subject walks at full stretch on hind legs, neck extended.
Rest (R): Subject lying down.
Stand (S): Subject standing, not moving.
Food
Eat (E): Subject consuming food.
Drink (D): Subject consuming water.
Ruminate (Rum): Subject chewing material from rumen.
Explore (EX): Subject investigates an object by sniffing, manipulating, etc.
Groom self (GR): Subject licks or scratches himself.
Groom social (GS): Subject grooms another animal.
Vocal-grunt (VO-G): A clicking sound made when animals are separated.
Vocal-buzz (VO-B): An alarm call made when air is forced through nostrils when mouth is closed.
Watch neighbor (Wch): Subject stares intently at animals in adjoining pens.
Body Postures- Scored when animals are within 2 body-lengths of one another.
Head/nose raise (HR): Subject standing with head in erect position with nose lifted high.
Head erect/nose forward (HE): Subject standing with head in erect position with nose directed forward.
Head sideways (HSd): Subject standing with head in erect posture with nose pointing to the side.
Head shake (HSk): Subject moving head from side to side.
Head-low (HL): Subject standing or moving off with head lower than shoulders.
Neck stretch (NX): Subject holds head above shoulders but lowered and stretched forward.
Submissive lying (SL): Subject lying down with head held very low or against ground.
Tail curl (TC): Subject holds tail arched over back.
Body movement: Scored when animals are within 2 body-lengths of one another.
Neck wind (NW): Subject moves head by twisting neck.
Nose bob (NB): Subject stands with head erect and moves nose up and down in rapid, repetitive manner.
Stamp (Stp): Subject taps ground with foreleg.
Tail wag (Tw): Subject swishing tail vigorously from side to side (often seen in fights).
Marking Behaviors: Scored when an animal scent marks an area.
Mark-urine (MU): Subject discharges urine.
Mark-defecate (MD): Subject defecates.
Overmark (MO): Subject urinates then moves hindlegs forward, crouches down low and defecates on the same spot (self-overmark).
Mark-scrape (MS): Subject scrapes soil with foreleg.
Mark-antorbital (MA): Subject marks with antorbital gland.
Contact Behaviors: Scored when an animal makes body contact with another animal (or can be object).
Head rest (HRs): Subject rests muzzle between another animalŐs horns while its head is held lower than normal. Subject may or may not exert pressure to force the other animalŐs head low.
Neck slide (NS): Occurs following a fight. Subjects face one another and simultaneously raise their heads while touching each otherŐs neck. Appears as if each is sliding head up ŇopponentŐsÓ neck with movements perfectly matched.
Nose-nose (NN): Subject and another stand with noses touching.
Nose-belly (NB): Subject touches nose to the belly of another animal.
Nose-rump (NR): Subject touches nose to the rump of another animal.
Shrub-horning (Sh): Subject thrashes branches, trees, and grass with its horns.
Sparing (Sp): Subject and another animal clashing horns together with violent nods of the head.
Sexual Behaviors: Although only males are present, some sexual behavior may occur.
Laufschlag (L): Subject extends its forelimb between or taps the hindlimbs of another.
Flehmen (Fl): Subject raises head and grimaces with open mouth and retracted lips.
Urine test (UT): Subject sniffs or tastes a stream of urine.
Mount/thrust (MT): Subject stands on hindlegs behind another individual and attempts to copulate.