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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Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied animal behaviour science Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 147 - 155
Main Authors Meijsser, F.M., Kersten, A.M.P., Wiepkema, P.R., Metz, J.H.M.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 1989
Subjects
animal behavior
Animal Husbandry
emotions
field tests
rabbits
Veehouderij
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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.
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