Table 1. Descriptions of observed behaviors scored for this study.

Summary of characteristics necessary for each defined behavior to be counted.

Maternal behaviors
Licking/grooming	Dam licks pups
Snout contact	Dam touches pups with snout with no licking apparent
Nesting	Any nest rearrangement/modification behavior
Passive nursing	Pups nursing while dam lying prone/on top of/beside pups with no muscle tone
Questionable arched back nursing	Nursing posture intermediate between passive and arched back
Arched back nursing	Active nursing posture with dam exhibiting significant muscle tone with pups collected beneath arch
Total nursing	Time spent in any nursing activity listed above
Non-maternal behaviors
Self-grooming	Dam cleaning own fur
No contact	Dam engaged in activity with no pup contact (feeding/drinking etc.)