Table 2.
Behavioral Ethogram
| Category and specific behavior | Measurement | Brief Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Fearful Defensive Behaviors | Cumulative Frequency | |
| Freeze | frequencya | Rigid, tense, motionless posture except slight head movement |
| Crouch | frequencya | Whole body or just front limbs bent with head near floor |
| Withdrawal | frequency | Quick, jerky motion away from intruder (jump back) |
| Fear Grimace | frequency | Refracted lips, exposed clenched teeth (exaggerated grin) |
| Hostile Defensive Behaviors | Cumulative Frequency | |
| Threat Bark Vocalization | frequency | Low pitch, high intensity, rasping, guttural |
| Threat (facial expression) | frequency | Any of the following: open mouth (no teeth exposed), head-bobbing, or ear flapping |
| Cage Aggression | frequency | Vigorously slaps, shakes or slams body against cage |
| Lunge | frequency | A quick, jerky movement toward the intruder |
| Anxious Behaviors | Cumulative Frequency | |
| Scratch | frequency | Rapid scratching of body with hands or feet |
| Body Shake | frequency | Whole body or just head and shoulder region shakes |
| Tooth Grind | frequencya | Repetitive, audible rubbing of upper & lower teeth |
| Yawn | frequency | Open mouth widely, exposing teeth |
| Stereotypies | Cumulative Duration | |
| Pacing | duration | Repetitive motor pattern around the test cage |
| Motor stereotypy | durationb | Repetitive, abnormal voluntary or involuntary motor patterns (swinging, twirling, floating limb) |
| Self-directed | durationb | Sucking thumb, eye poke, self-bite |
| Affiliative Behaviors | Cumulative Frequency | |
| Coo Vocalization | frequency | Clear soft, moderate in pitch and intensity, usually “oooooh” sounding |
| Grunt vocalization | frequency | Deep, muffled, low intensity, almost gurgling sound |
| Lipsmack | frequency | Rapid movement of pursed lips, accompanied by a smacking sound |
| Present | frequency | Rigid posture (knees locked) with tail elevated and rump oriented toward intruder |
| Scream Vocalization | Frequency | High pitch, high intensity screech or loud chirp |
| Cage Explore | Duration | Calm and inquisitive inspections of cage either by tactile, oral, or visual means |
| Self-Sooth | Cumulative Duration | |
| Self-grooming | Duration | Use of hands or mouth to smooth or pick through fur |
| Self-clasping | Durationb | Non-manipulatory enclosing or holding of a limb or body part with arms |
List of all behaviors scored, how they are measured and a brief definitions.
a
Behavior for which total duration was also measured.
b
Behavior that was not observed in these subjects.