Copulatory Behavior of Southern Grasshopper Mice (Onychomys torridus)

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A quantitative description of the copulatory behavior of Onychomys torridus was derived from 48 tests and a total of more than 1000 observed locks. This species is slow to initiate copulation. Once initiated, copulatory activity persists for several hours. A mean of 18.7 locks and 1.2 mounts with deep thrusting occurred during the mean of 2 hours of copulatory activity that preceded a “satiety” criterion of one-half hour with no copulations. The intervals between successive locks lengthened as the tests progressed. Lock durations averaged 12 to 13 seconds, and decreased slightly near the end of satiety tests. Termination of locks appears largely a function of the behavior of the female. Possible functional significance of various aspects of this pattern is considered.

This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit: