title: The variability of some motor components of social play and agonistic behaviour in infant eastern coyotes, Canis latrans var.
abstract: The duration and stereotypy (in terms of duration) of three actions, stand-overs (SO), generalbites (GB), And scruff-bites (SB), were measured during social play and agonistic interactions in infant eastern coyotes (Canis latrans). The rate of biting was also calculated. We found: (1) SO's and GB's lasted a significantly shorter time during play; (2) when performed during playful interactions, all three acts showed more stereotypy; (3) there was no significant difference between the rates of occurrence of biting during the two situations. A discussion of the 'exaggerated' nature of play behaviour is presented, particularly concerning the form of motor actions that are used during this activity.
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression; D000378:Agonistic Behavior; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002335:Carnivora; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012919:Social Behavior; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D013997:Time Factors