Sexual Exploration

Overview and Meaning

Through exploration of a potential mate the male mouse will learn from olfactory cues if she is sexually receptive. These cues combined with her receptive behavior and posture will elicit a successful sexual encounter.

Description

When a male is motivated to mate, he will first explore the anogenital region of his potential mate.

To distinguish between sexual exploration and other forms of exploration, such as anogenital exploring, pay close attention to the postures and behaviors proceeding and following the exploration.

Classification

Sexual Behaviors

Contexts

Reproduction

Variants

None