FLEHMEN IN CAPTIVE MOOSE CALVES (ALCES ALCES AMERICANA)

• Main Authors: Broadfoot, Jim D., Addison, Edward M., McLaughlin, Robert F., Fraser, Douglas J. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Lakehead University 1997
• Subjects: Alces alces
• Online Access: http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/797

A total of 256 instances of Flehmen was recorded for 12 (6 male/female pairs) captive moose calves (Alces alces americana). All calves displayed Flehmen and urine appeared to be the primary stimulus for the behaviour. Male calves displayed higher frequencies of Flehmen than did females (11.0 Flehmen/100 urinations versus 1.5 Flehmen/100 urinations). Males showed a seasonal pattern in the occurrence of Flehmen, with peak frequencies during mid-December to mid-February. Most Flehmen were performed in response to an animal's own urine with male and female calves showing the same relative frequency of self-directed Flehmen.