Sexual Motivation
Overview and Meaning
'Sexual motivations' is the term used by Grant & Mackintosh for the behaviors that lead to contact between potential mates in the sexual behavior sequence. This involves potential solicitation behaviors, and initial approach and investigatory behaviors by both sexes.
Description
A female mouse will indicate sexual motivation by hopping, ear-wiggling, and darting movements.
Classification
Contexts
Reproduction
Variants
The following definitions describe the different forms of motivation presentation that occur between mice.
- Crawl-Over: (rarely seen in mice) moving over a potential mate and may involve urination under more aggressive circumstances.
- Crawl-Under: (common) pushing head and forebody beneath a potential mate, followed by head lifting and sniffing.
- Push Past: (common) moving between the cage wall and a potential mate.