Species: Mongoose Lemur (Lemur mongoz)

Use: Reproductive Biology

Authors: Jean M. Perry, Department of Zoology, North Carolina State University

Methods: N/A

Publications/Presentations: Masters Thesis Submitted to North Carolina State University (1991). The Reproductive Biology of Captive Lemur Mongoz (Mongoose Lemur): A comparison between wild caught and captive born breeding pairs.

Affiliative Behaviors

Groom (G) Upward scrapes of procumbent tooth comb interspersed with licks. Hands used to hold area being groomed.

Includes the following types:

Allo (Allo): Social grooming where one individual grooms another

Auto (Auto): Individual grooms self

Female genitalia (F GEN): Auto or allo grooming of a female’s genitals

Male genitalia (M GEN): Auto or allo grooming of a male’s genitals

Mutual (Mutual): Social grooming where two individuals groom each other concurrently

Reciprocal (Recip): Social grooming where two individuals alternate grooming each other

Muzzle (Mz): Actor and/or receiver lick, sniff or touch nose to nose.

Agonistic Behaviors

Bite (B): Actor nips another animal with teeth

Chase (CH): Aggressor runs after or charges target animal. May either attack or give a threat gesture.

Cuff (C): Actor slaps at receiver with hand (may or may not make contact)

Solicitory Behaviors

Chin cuff (CC): Female gently cups her hand under male’s chin stroking his muzzle upward

Hip touch (HT): Actor touching or grasping the hip of the receiver (usually male to female)

Reach back (RB): Mountee reaches back and touches or holds mounter

Copulatory Behaviors

Clasp (CL): Male grasping femaleís hips or waist with hands and assuming upright bipedal position directly behind female

Mount (MT): Ventrodorsal heterosexual contact including clasping and may or may not include pelvic thrusting

Short Thrusts (STR): Cluster or clusters of rapidly occurring shallow pelvic thrusts that may or may not effect intromission.

Long Thrusts (LTR): Long, deep repetitive pelvic thrusts that usually effect successful intromission and may or may not be accompanied by STR.

Olfactory Behaviors

Ano-genital muzzle (AMZ): Actor smells or licks genitalia of receiver.

Ano-genital scent mark (ASS): Actor squats and drags its ano-genital region back and forth or side-to-side along the surface being marked.

Head rub (HR): Actor rubs forehead or dorsal surface of head on substrate.

Sniff (Sn): Actor smells any substrate including another animal.

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