Influence of a conspecific agemate on distress bleating by lambs

• Published in: Applied animal behaviour science Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 239 - 244
• Main Authors: Porter, Richard H., Nowak, Raymond, Orgeur, Pierre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.1995; Elsevier
• Subjects: AGNEAU; COMPORTAMIENTO MATERNAL; COMPORTEMENT MATERNEL; Computer Science; CORDERO; Distress bleats; GESTATION MULTIPLE; LAMBS; Life Sciences; MATERNAL BEHAVIOUR; Maternal separation; MULTIPLE BIRTHS; PARTOS MULTIPLES; Twin recognition; Distress bleats; Maternal separation; Twin recognition; Lambs
• ISSN: 0168-1591; 1872-9045
• DOI: 10.1016/0168-1591(95)00630-B

Lambs typically display behavioral and physiological indicants of distress when they are removed from their mother. In the present experiment, we assessed the effects of the presence of agemate conspecifics on the rate of distress bleating by 3-week-old lambs immediately following maternal separation. When removed from their mother and tested in isolation, lambs emitted more distress bleats than they did when paired with a social partner—either their twin ( P < 0.01) or an unfamiliar lamb ( P < 0.05). Moreover, rates of distress bleating by paired unfamiliar lambs were greater than for familiar twins tested together ( P < 0.02). The presence of an agemate lamb therefore appears to alleviate, at least to some extent, the stress associated with maternal separation. Lower rates of bleating by twin pairs in contrast with paired unfamiliar lambs suggest that twins recognize one another. Prior to testing, twins interacted closely and thereby had the opportunity to become mutually acquainted.