Anointing

Abstract

Anointing is a behavior in which an animal acquires substances on their bodies, either passively by absorbing chemicals from the environment or actively by rubbing against them or applying them by mouth (Weldon 2004). Fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals have all been recorded anointing, leading to a number of different terms depending on the specific nature of the behavior. In birds, passive and active anointing are seen in a wide range of species, often with formic acid-secreting ants, when it is referred to as "anting," but also with a wide range of other invertebrates, citrus fruits, and flowers. Many birds also commonly use fine dirt, sand, or peat to cover their feathers, a behavior referred to as dusting, or peat-bathing (Hart 1997; Clayton et al. 2010), but also fitting the definition for anointing. Many mammals of several orders anoint, including carnivores, ungulates, insectivores, and primates, in which the behavior is referred to variously as anointing, scent rubbing, or fur rubbing (Weldon 2004).