Table 1 Courtship behavioural units observed in pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus).
From: Reproductive biology of the pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus): a review
Behavioural unit | Behaviour in the male |
|---|---|
Low stretch | Walks toward the female with his head and neck stretched, the head held in a low position, a few centimetres above the ground, maintaining a distance of 2–10 m |
Ostentation | Stands immobile in front of the female, sometimes walking a few steps toward her. The neck is held erect and the head horizontal, generally rotated to one side. The chin is held up high. |
Anogenital sniffing | Pushes its face into the female's anogenital region. |
Chivying | Marches towards the female, with the neck in a normal position. |
Chivying and nodding | Similar to chivying, but sporadically moves the head and neck up and down, keeping them still for no longer than 1 second |
Smelling urine | Smells and puts the nose in the female's urine |
Flehmen | The head is raised, the external nares are drawn back, and the upper lip is curled back. |