First documentation of flehmen in a common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1999 |
Authors: |
Thomas A. Zapico |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Publisher: |
Inc., John Wiley & Sons |
Keywords: |
evolutionary remnant, hippo, overt estrus, vomeronasal organ |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1999)18:5<415::AID-ZOO6>3.3.CO;2-Q A male common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) was observed giving a flehmen grimace on 14 occasions in July and August of 1998 at the Denver Zoo. Twelve instances of flehmen occurred after anogenital investigation of the female as she was exiting the pool. The two other instances of flehmen occurred in the terrestrial portion of the enclosure after the male examined samples of the female’s freshly voided urine. The frequency of flehmen increased as the female approached estrus. Flehmen in common hippos may be an example of an evolutionary remnant. Zoo Biol 18:415–420, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.