An analysis of the open-field performance of sub-adult rabbits
The behaviour of sub-adult rabbits in an open field was recorded and analysed in order to assess emotionality. Several forms of locomotion and exploration were distinguished. Factor analysis was used to identify relationships between the behavioural elements. Three orthogonal factors were found to d...
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Published in | Applied animal behaviour science Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 147 - 155 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Elsevier B.V
1989
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The behaviour of sub-adult rabbits in an open field was recorded and analysed in order to assess emotionality. Several forms of locomotion and exploration were distinguished. Factor analysis was used to identify relationships between the behavioural elements. Three orthogonal factors were found to describe 46, 20 and 10% of the total common variance: “boldness”, “prudence” and “fear”, respectively. The first factor was characterized by elements such as hopping and rearing, the second by a crouched way of moving (walking and moving the forelegs) and the third by standing stretched. Both the form and the extent of locomotion and exploration are discussed in relation to emotionality. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0168-1591 1872-9045 |
DOI: | 10.1016/0168-1591(89)90042-7 |