Territorial vocalization patterns of captive Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) in the middle of winter at high latitude
Wild lions, especially the males, spend much of their time performing various territorial advertising behaviors, the most obvious of which are loud vocalizations that can be heard several kilometers away. This study investigated whether a captive pride of three Asiatic lions at Fota Wildlife Park in Ireland exhibited typical patterns of territorial vocalizations and associated […]
Exploratory and antipredator behaviours differ between territorial and nonterritorial male lizards
Alternative territorial tactics may be part of a broader behavioural tendency that can influence the expression of other behavioural traits.We compared the exploratory and predator avoidance behaviours of territorial and floater male water skinks, Eulamprus heatwolei, to identify whether these alternative behavioural tactics are part of a broader behavioural dichotomy. Floater and territorial males differed […]
Better the devil you know: familiarity affects foraging activity of red-backed salamanders, Plethodon cinereus
Many animals can recognize previously encountered individuals and modify their behaviour towards them. Individuals also can have increased growth or other fitness components when interacting with familiar compared to unfamiliar individuals. One hypothesis explaining fitness benefits is that animals forage less in the presence of unfamiliar conspecifics because they spend time avoiding or interacting with […]
The evolution of reptilian social behavior
Reptiles display a diversity of behavior that is reflective of their evolutionary heritage from fish and amphibians and their ancestral contribution to the diversity found in birds and mammals. Much of the behavior observed in reptiles seems specific to the ecological setting within which they live. As a result, a diversity of behavior is found […]