Gender, age and seasonal dependent self-anointing in the European hedgehogErinaceus europaeus

D’Havé, Helga; Scheirs, Jan; Verhagen, Ron; Coen, Wim De

doi:10.1007/bf03194480

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(36 reference statements)

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“…This process is thought to enhance defense from predators, by making the spines more effective. Although compelling, this hypothesis is not universally accepted, and explanations involving attracting mates and signaling presence have also been put forward (D'Havè et al 2005).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Anointing

Messer¹,

Bowler²

2017

Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior

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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).

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confidence: 99%

Anointing

Messer¹,

Bowler²

2017

Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior

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“…Anointing behaviours, in which animals rub strong smelling substances into their fur, have been recorded in a wide range of animals, including canids 1 , hedgehogs and tenrecs 2 , and several bird species, in which the behaviour is often refereed to as ‘anting’, since ants are most commonly used 3 . In primates, anointing has been recorded in black lemurs ( Eulemur macaco ) with toxic millepedes 4 , black-handed spider monkeys ( Ateles geoffroyi ) with the leaves of aromatic tree species 5 6 , orangutans ( Pongo pygmaeus ) with Commelina herbs 7 , golden-headed lion tamarins ( Leontopithecus chrysomelas ) with tree exudates 8 and owl monkeys ( Aotus spp.)…”

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confidence: 99%

Mutual medication in capuchin monkeys – Social anointing improves coverage of topically applied anti-parasite medicines

Bowler

Messer

Claidière

et al. 2015

Sci Rep

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Wild and captive capuchin monkeys will anoint themselves with a range of strong smelling substances including millipedes, ants, limes and onions. Hypotheses for the function of the behaviour range from medicinal to social. However, capuchin monkeys may anoint in contact with other individuals, as well as individually. The function of social anointing has also been explained as either medicinal or to enhance social bonding. By manipulating the abundance of an anointing resource given to two groups of tufted capuchins, we tested predictions derived from the main hypotheses for the functions of anointing and in particular, social anointing. Monkeys engaged in individual and social anointing in similar proportions when resources were rare or common, and monkeys holding resources continued to join anointing groups, indicating that social anointing has functions beyond that of gaining access to resources. The distribution of individual and social anointing actions on the monkeys’ bodies supports a medicinal function for both individual and social anointing, that requires no additional social bonding hypotheses. Individual anointing targets hard-to-see body parts that are harder to groom, whilst social anointing targets hard-to-reach body parts. Social anointing in capuchins is a form of mutual medication that improves coverage of topically applied anti-parasite medicines.

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“…until Zito et al [2003] documented this finding over a decade ago. Similarly, other mammals such as European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) [D'Havé et al, 2005], Siberian chipmunks (Tamius sibiricus) [Kobayashi and Watanabe, 1981] as well as various primates -e.g. white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus) [Baker 1996], spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) [ Campbell, 2000;Laska et al, 2007], orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) [Morrogh-Bernard, 2008] -have been observed to self-anoint as well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Perform Self- and Social Anointing in Captivity

Jefferson¹,

Tapanes²,

Evans³

2014

IJFP

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Several species of primates, including owl monkeys (Aotus spp.), anoint by rubbing their fur with odiferous substances. Previous research has shown that capuchin monkeys (Cebus and Sapajus) anoint socially by rubbing their bodies together in groups of two or more while anointing. Owl monkeys housed at the DuMond Conservancy have been observed to anoint over the last 10 years, and we report detailed new information on the anointing behavior of this population, including descriptions of social anointing which occurs frequently. We first investigated the occurrence of self-anointing in 35 Aotus spp. presented with millipedes. Detailed descriptions regarding body regions anointed were obtained for all anointers (n = 28). The median duration for a self-anointing bout was 3.6 min (range from approx. 2 s to 14.15 min). While the latency and length of anointing bouts showed considerable interindividual differences, no statistically significant differences were found between sexes, wild- or captive-born owl monkeys or across age groups. However, we found the lower back and tail were anointed at a rate significantly greater than other body parts, but there were no differences in these patterns across sex or wild- or captive-born owl monkeys. More recently, social anointing was investigated in 26 Aotus spp. presented with millipedes, of which half were observed to anoint socially. The average duration for all social anointing bouts was 72.88 s, with a median duration of 30 s (range 5-322 s). A detailed ethogram was also generated that included behaviors that were performed while anointing, including facial expressions and vocalizations. The intraindividual variability for 8 monkeys used in both investigations is discussed. These findings extend our knowledge of anointing and confirm the existence of social anointing in another genus with a unique biology (nocturnal and socially monogamous) distinct from capuchins.

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Gender, age and seasonal dependent self-anointing in the European hedgehogErinaceus europaeus

Cited by 8 publications

References 18 publications

Anointing

Anointing

Mutual medication in capuchin monkeys – Social anointing improves coverage of topically applied anti-parasite medicines

Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) Perform Self- and Social Anointing in Captivity

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