Ethogram of guinea pig grooming behavior

Grooming is the act of cleaning. The front teeth, tongue, and back claws of Guinea pigs are used to groom themselves. They demonstrate many grooming techniques, including self-grooming, in order to maintain their bodies clean and maximize their chances of survival. Grooming can also provide psychological benefits by removing dust, debris, and parasites from its fur. Because the body surface serves as a temperature regulator, a sensing organ, a protective device, and a moisture balance.

Ethogram of guinea pig grooming behavior contains the following steps 

Ø  Licking its front feet

Ø  Wiping its face

Ø  Sitting on its haunches

Ø  Wiping its nose

Ø  Bring both front feet over the head from behind the ears all the way to the tip of its nose

Ø  The body is cleaned with teeth and tongue back and forth

Ø  Shake all over as it to remove loose hairs and fur that’s still on its body

Figure 1: Licking front feet   

  Figure 2: Wiping the face   

Figure 3: Sitting on haunches  

Figure 4: Wiping nose                                     

 

Figure 5:  Bringing front feet over the Head from behind the ears  

 

Figure 6: Bringing front feet behind the ears to the tip of the nose 

 Figure 7: The body is cleaned with tongue and teeth

Figure 8: Shaking body to remove loose fur

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