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Reproductive behavior of the grey squirrel
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1977
Year
Breeding BehaviorFertilityFitnessSexual SelectionReproductive BiologyReproduction ResponseMammalogyInterspecific Behavioral InteractionSciurus CarolinensisPublic HealthReproductive SuccessBehavioral SciencesPrechase BehaviorsBiologyAnimal BehaviourNatural SciencesEvolutionary BiologyGrey SquirrelAnimal Behavior
A study was made of the reproductive behavior of the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). The winter mating period was from 25 January to 13 February; the summer mating period was from 21 May to 24 June. Sexual behaviors are described and may be divided into four phases: (1) prechase behaviors, (2) the mating chase, (3) copulation, and (4) postcoital behaviors. Prechase behaviors appear to be the animal's response to the females' approaching estrus. High levels of intraspecific aggression during the mating chase result in the establishment of a mating hierarchy. Males are attracted from their center of activity to the mating chase from an average of 198 m. Males which dominate in the mating hierarchies, and therefore are successful in copulating, generally are attracted to the mating chase from significantly (p < 0.05) farther [Formula: see text] than the average male. Females are not mobile during the mating period. The selective advantages of this mating system are considered.