Tail Rattling
Mouse Ethogram > Active Behaviors > General Activity > Agonistic Interactions > Threat Behaviors > Tail Rattling
Overview and Meaning
Tail rattling is a territorial behavior that occurs in response to a threat. In the wild this is one of the most commonly observed territorial behaviors; however, like most territorial behaviors it is rarely observed in standard laboratory housing conditions.
Description
This behavior is characterized by the fast waving movements of the tail. When held against hard objects a rattling noise can usually be heard. This behavior can often be observed simultaneously with other movements and postures.
Classification
Threat Behaviors, part of Agonistic Interactions
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
None
Tail rattling is a threat behavior. These include:
Tail rattling is characteristic of territorial behavior.
The full behavior chain consists of:
These 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
