Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Jun 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Med Primatol. 2015 Apr 16;44(3):143–157. doi: 10.1111/jmp.12172

Table 1. Definitions of behaviors [23, 44].

Behavior Class Behavior Definition
Aggressive Display Behavior Aggressive grunt A series of short, rapid grunts being performed by an animal who is seemingly hostile

Canine display Facial expression in which an actor's mouth is fully open with teeth, and sometimes gums, exposed and directed toward another animal

Eyelid flash An actor lowers eyelids with exposure of white pigment just above the eyes towards the direction of a recipient

Mantle shake The rapid shaking of the head and shoulders, oscillating movement of the head and shoulders about the spinal axis

Multi-aggressive display General category for rapid agonistic performances, consisting of several agonistic behaviors occurring simultaneously

Piloerection Actor's hair is moved from a flat position to a raised position

Initiation of Physical Aggression Aggressive chase Aggressive rapid forward movement by an actor towards a recipient who flees

Attack An actor sets upon another individual aggressively, initiating a fight

Bite The clamping of the mouth on the body of a recipient followed by a pain or fear response from the recipient who is bitten

Hit A slap or cuff

Friendly Display Behavior Chatter (aka friendly grunt) A series of rapid monosyllabic sounds, usually of low volume

Lipsmack Rapid, repetitive opening and closing of lips; may also include rapid, repetitive opening and closing of lips on a flattened and projecting tongue