Social behavior between adult female Richardson's ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii) and their own and alien young

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Abstract
Adult female Richardson's ground squirrels were paired at intervals with their own and unrelated young in a neutral cage. Little agonistic behavior occurred between related animals but such behavior was common when the adult and young were unrelated. Conversely, cohesive behavior was common between related animals but not between unrelated animals. A tendency for the adults to treat male and female young differently was noted. With only four exceptions (out of 48 tests) the first contact between adult and young was neutral, nose–nose being most common. The frequency of neutral behavior declined on the second contact and remained at the lower level. Implications of the study with regard to recognition, dispersal, and territory learning are discussed.

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