Scent marking by male Golden Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) III. Behavior in a seminatural environment.

Abstract

8 malexj golden hamsters were observed two at a time in a plexiglas cage (area roughly 11 sp.ft) subdivided into 47 connected compartments. Each pair spent 2--3 weeks in this cage, observations lasting 1--2 weeks. Dominance relationships, food hoarding and marking behaviour in this situation are described.