IVth International Conference on Dormice (Rodentia, Gliridae)13 - 16 September 1999 EDİRNE - TURKEY |
BEHAVIOUR OF THE COMMON DORMICE MUSCARDINUS AVELLANARIUS
Tsingarska, E.*, Delov, V.** & Peshev, D.*
* Dragan Tzankov blvd. 8, 1421 Sofia, Bulgariae
* * 13 Evlogy Georgyev str., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria- mail: ventzi@biofac.uni-sofia.bg
Investigation on the behavior of Common Dormouse M. avellanarius were carried out using 20 adult individuals placed in individual cages in laboratory conditions. The animals were caught during April in Vitosha Mountain near Sofia. With a purpose to make the observations easier the diurnal activity of dormice was reversed. During the day the cages were in an absolute darkness and during the night from 18.00 to 08.00 o’clock the individuals were lighted with electric lamps. All the animals changed their activity successfully for 6-7 days.
The observations were made during the dark period using red light.
From the individual behavior were described the investigative, grooming and feeding behaviors.
Social interactions of the animals were investigated meeting them in pairs: male/male, male/female, and female/female. All meetings were 30 minutes long. The behavioral reactions and postures adopted by animals during social interactions were described, photographed and drown.
Social behavior of the animals was divided on: behavior for investigation of the other animal; behavior during familiarization, including three forms; agonistic behavior, including five types of postures; reproductive behavior, including two postures.
In total 27 reactions were described in the behavior of the Common Dormouse.
The agonistic behavior has higher values in male/male and female/female meetings. During female/female meetings the treating behavior is most clear expressed, while in the male/male meetings aggressive encounters and fights were most common.
In male/female meetings the mutual investigation dominates.
The ambivalent postures are typical for male/male encounters, while among females the treating behavior - sinusoidal movement of the tail, is very characteristic.