Boxing
Overview and Meaning
Boxing is a form of aggressive behavior that typically occurs in response to a territorial threat. However, in the laboratory this behavior may not be observed. This is due to the inability to establish distinct territories in the small home cage.
Description
While remaining in its place, the animal will make intention movements of the body towards the opponent combined with alternated kicking of the forepaws.
Classification
Contexts
Agonistic interactions can occur in the context of territorial behavior and/or dominance behavior. Territorial behavior and dominance behavior differ in the context that they occur, the resources under competition, and the threat behavior that initiates the interaction.
Variants
Boxing is part of
Aggressive Behaviors
These behaviors are characteristic of escalated aggression, and consist of:
Boxing has 1 variant:
Aggressive behaviors are part of
Agonistic Interactions
The full behavior chain consists of:
Agonistic interactions occur to assert territory or dominance. This can proceed as either mediated aggression or escalated aggression, differentiated by the absence or presence of aggressive behaviors.
Stanford Department of Comparative Medicine presents
A Comprehensive Ethogram of the Laboratory Mouse
