A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF NURSING BEHAVIOR IN THE GUINEA-PIG (CAVIA-PORCELLUS)

Earlier studies have clarified the sequence and control of behavioral interactions during nursing in the rat. For comparison, we analyzed nu rsing behavior in the precocial guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). The beha viors of 6 dams with litters of 3 pups were videotaped under undisturb ed conditions during both phases of the light-dark cycle and after reu nion during the light phase on Days 1, 2, 3, 6, and 13 postpartum. Mor e time was spent nursing in the light than in the dark and in the Ist week than on Day 13. Pup licking was not required for nipple attachmen t to occur even on Day 1. Dams displayed a crouched nursing posture ac companied by 120 s or more of body plus head immobility, similar to th e crouched stance in the rat; body plus head immobility was rarely see n in females not in a crouched stance.