{{Short description|Animal behavior to maintain health and comfort}} [[File:Dust bathing mountain zebra, Namibia.jpg|thumb|Dust bathing mountain zebra in Namibia]] '''Comfort behaviors''' in animals are actions that contribute to the maintenance of their pelage, feathers, integument, or musculoskeletal system, enhancing overall physical well-being and comfort.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-comfortbehaviour.html|title=Comfort behaviour|author=Allaby, M.|publisher=A Dictionary of Zoology |year=1999|access-date=March 30, 2013}}</ref>
Comfort behaviors are exhibited from an early age and remain largely consistent throughout an animal's development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://academic.research.microsoft.com/Paper/10888198https |author=Bekoff, M., Ainley, D.G and Bekoff, A.|title=The ontogeny and organisation of comfort behavior in Adelie penguins|access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref> Certain comfort behaviors are associated with the onset of a rest period, such as grooming, while others, like stretching, occur at the end of rest, potentially serving to prepare the body for activities such as escape or hunting. Certain comfort behaviors, such as dust bathing, are performed only when both internal and external stimuli are appropriate (see also sham dustbathing). Animals typically engage in comfort behaviors when not occupied with essential activities such as feeding, drinking, hunting, or escaping, leading to their classification as luxury activities. However, some comfort behaviors, like dust bathing in hens, can be highly motivated, and restrictions on these behaviors—such as those imposed by battery cages—are considered detrimental to animal welfare.<ref>Lindberg A.C. and Nicol C.J. (1997). Dustbathing in modified battery cages: Is sham dustbathing an adequate substitute? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 55: 113-128</ref>
== Purpose == Comfort behaviors serve various adaptive and functional purposes across a wide range of animal species. One primary function is hygiene, particularly through the removal of ectoparasites, which helps maintain the health and well-being of the animal. Animals remove ectoparasites by scratching or brushing their own bodies,<ref name=":03">{{Cite journal|last=Ferron|first=J.|date=1976|title=Comfort behaviour of the red squirrel (tamiascilarus hudsonicus)|journal=Zeitshrift für Tierpsychologie|volume=42|issue=1|pages=66–85|doi=10.1111/j.1439-0310.1976.tb00957.x|pmid=983429}}</ref> or the grooming of others, which helps maintain skin and coat health while reducing irritation and parasite load.<ref name=":13">{{cite journal | url=https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020360422305 | doi=10.1023/A:1020360422305 | year=1998 | last1=Sánchez-Villagra | first1=Marcelo R. | last2=Pope | first2=Theresa R. | last3=Salas | first3=Viviana | title=Relation of Intergroup Variation in Allogrooming to Group Social Structure and Ectoparasite Loads in Red Howlers (Alouatta seniculus) | journal=International Journal of Primatology | volume=19 | issue=3 | pages=473–491 | s2cid=4669029 | url-access=subscription }}</ref> Through licking and brushing, animals such as the red squirrel clean wounds and remove dirt and debris from their bodies, also aiding in hygiene.<ref name=":03"/> Other physical purposes for comfort behaviours includes reduction in heart rates as seen in horses,<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1006/anbe.1993.1309|title = Grooming at a preferred site reduces heart rate in horses| journal=Animal Behaviour| volume=46| issue=6| pages=1191–1194|year = 1993|last1 = Feh|first1 = Claudia| last2=De Mazières| first2=Jeanne|s2cid = 53190323}}</ref> and thermoregulation.<ref name=":23">{{Cite journal | doi=10.1016/j.applanim.2004.10.020|title = Thermal behaviour of growing pigs in response to high temperature and humidity| journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science| volume=91| pages=1–16|year = 2005|last1 = Huynh|first1 = T.T.T.| last2=Aarnink| first2=A.J.A.| last3=Gerrits| first3=W.J.J.| last4=Heetkamp| first4=M.J.H.| last5=Canh| first5=T.T.| last6=Spoolder| first6=H.A.M.| last7=Kemp| first7=B.| last8=Verstegen| first8=M.W.A.|issue = 1–2}}</ref>
Comfort behaviors also serve reproductive purposes in various animal species. In some cases, these behaviors play a role in mate selection, as seen in wrens, where reciprocal and continuous preening strengthens pair bonds and facilitates mating.<ref name=":33">{{Cite journal|last=Gill|first=S.A.|date=2012|title=Strategic use of allopreening in family-living wrens|journal=Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology|volume=66|issue=5|pages=757–763|doi=10.1007/s00265-012-1323-6|bibcode=2012BEcoS..66..757G |s2cid=14280950}}</ref> Similarly, in chickens, dust bathing occurs as female sexual behaviour.<ref name=":43">{{Cite journal|last=Vidal|first=J.M.|date=1971|title=Prosocial sexual behaviour: ontogeny of sexual behaviour in the domestic cock|journal=Behaviour|volume=39|pages=20–38|doi=10.1163/156853971x00159}}</ref> During gestation, grooming and licking of areas critical for reproduction - including the nipples, genitals, and pelvis - is increased in rats.<ref name=":53">{{Cite journal|date=1967|title=Changes in self licking during pregnancy in the rat|journal=Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology|volume=63|issue=3|pages=397–400|doi=10.1037/h0024635|pmid=6070713|last1=Roth|first1=L. L.|last2=Rosenblatt|first2=J. S.}}</ref> Rabbits engage in grooming to maintain hygiene, remove loose fur, and strengthen social bonds. Stretching after rest improves a rabbit's circulation, flexibility, and readiness for quick movement, contributing to their overall well-being.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wassam |date=2024-05-19 |title=Body Language of Rabbits |url=https://bunnyvault.com/body-language-of-rabbits/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Bunny Vault |language=en-US}}</ref> Finally, in cats, a mother cat cares for her newly born kittens through comfort behaviours, licking and rubbing the kitten's head.<ref name=":63">{{Cite journal|last=Bradshaw|first=J.W.S.|date=2016|title=Sociality in cats: a comparative review|journal=Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research|volume=11|pages=113–124|doi=10.1016/j.jveb.2015.09.004}}</ref> thumb|Mother monkey hugs her baby creating contact comfort. Comfort behaviours can function to communicate socially during breeding season, such as in the Degus,<ref name=":73">{{Cite journal|date=2005|title=Seasonal changes in the time budget of degus. octodon degus|journal=Behaviour|volume=142|pages=91–112|doi=10.1163/1568539053627703|last1=Ebensperger|first1=Luis|last2=Hurtado|first2=Marí José|hdl=10533/177141|hdl-access=free}}</ref> and form bonds and social structure within groups.<ref name=":13"/> It also can have implications on social outcomes of an animal. In infant monkeys, it was found that contact comfort from their mothers was necessary to encourage positive social outcomes. The monkeys without these comfort behaviours developed fear and anxiety.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=1959|title=Affectional responses in infant monkey|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_science_1959-08-21_130_3373/page/420|journal=Science|volume=130|issue=3373|pages=421–432|doi=10.1126/science.130.3373.421|last1=Harlow|first1=H. F.|last2=Zimmermann|first2=R. R.|pmid=13675765|bibcode=1959Sci...130..421H}}</ref> This comfort behaviour has an important impact because in the absence of a mother, juvenile monkeys cling to each other for contact comfort.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=1979|title=Handlers' effects on contact comfort behaviors of two trios of juvenile chimpanzees in the zoo|journal=Psychological Reports|volume=44|issue=3|pages=1015–1018|doi=10.2466/pr0.1979.44.3.1015|last1=Cooper|first1=Debra Lee|last2=Markowitz|first2=Hal|s2cid=144948038}}</ref>
== Types ==
=== Autogrooming === [[File:Grooming behaviour of a King cheetah, South Africa.jpg|thumb|left|Grooming behaviour of a king cheetah]] thumb|Squirrel scratching its armpit with its hindlimb claws – a process of autogrooming Autogrooming, or self-grooming, refers to grooming behaviors an animal performs on its own body. This behavior commonly involves licking, chewing, clawing, and rubbing to maintain hygiene and physical well-being.<ref name=":53"/><ref name=":03"/> This comfort behavior primarily serves hygienic purposes, as observed in the red squirrel. The red squirrel removes parasites and dirt by licking and chewing its fur, particularly on the tail, belly, and genitals, while using its claws to scratch harder-to-reach areas such as under the legs. It also brushes and rubs facial areas with its front paws and shakes its body or brushes against objects for additional cleaning. Self-grooming becomes more frequent in the spring when black fly populations increase in the environment.<ref name=":03" /> In certain animals, such as rats, autogrooming also serves reproductive purposes. During pregnancy, the frequency of grooming in critical reproductive areas, including the nipple lines, genitals, and pelvis, increases, while grooming in non-reproductive areas decreases. As pregnancy advances, the rate of licking in these essential areas continues to rise, likely supporting physiological changes and preparation for nursing.<ref name=":53" />
=== Allogrooming === thumb|Horses grooming each other. Allogrooming is grooming behaviour performed by one animal on another. This behaviour could include licking, rubbing or preening.<ref name=":63"/><ref name=":33"/><ref name=":13"/> Allogrooming can serve a reproductive function, as observed in wrens, where reciprocal preening initiated by either males or females plays a role in mate selection and bonding.<ref name=":33" /> Additionally, this comfort behaviour has a hygienic purpose as seen in red howlers and cats. In red howlers, individuals groom each other's bodies, including the neck, head, shoulders, and arms, to remove ectoparasites and maintain hygiene.<ref name=":13" /> Allopreening is similarly observed to have a social purpose in red howlers,<ref name=":13" /> showing that allogrooming has a variety of functions over a variety of species.
=== Maternal grooming === thumb|A mother cat licks the head of her kitten – a process of allogrooming. In cattle, maternal grooming removes bacterial load and contributes to maintaining the body hygiene of the young animal.<ref>Kohari, D., Sato, S. & Nakai, Y., 2009. Does the maternal grooming of cattle clean bacteria from the coat of calves? Behavioural Processes. Vol. 80, n° 2, p. 202‑204. DOI 10.1016/j.beproc.2008.11.003.</ref> In domestic cats, mothers lick and rub their kittens' heads to maintain cleanliness. This maternal grooming later develops into a social behavior as kittens begin grooming their mothers in return. This reciprocal grooming strengthens social bonds and plays a vital role in group cohesion.<ref name=":63" />
===Bathing=== Most bird species bathe using water, while others engage in dust bathing. Land birds exhibit seven distinct types of water bathing: "stand-in bathing," the most common method, involves standing in shallow water; "splash-bathing" occurs from land; "in-out bathing" involves repeated movements between land and water; "flight bathing" entails dipping while airborne; "plunge bathing" is done from a perch; "rain-bathing" utilizes falling rain; and "foliage-/dew-bathing" makes use of wet vegetation. Sea and water birds may employ these methods but can also bathe while swimming or diving. Bathing plays a crucial role in feather maintenance, oil distribution, removal of dirt, and thermoregulation.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=Bruce |last2=Lack |first2=Elizabeth |title=A Dictionary of Birds |date=27 June 2013 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4081-3839-7 |page=101 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kZqJAAAAQBAJ&dq=bathing+passerine&pg=PA101 |access-date=30 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Among primates, the Japanese macaques of Jigokudani Monkey Park acquired the practice of hot-spring bathing for warmth.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Box |first1=Hilary O. |title=Primate Behaviour and Social Ecology |date=6 December 2012 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=978-94-009-5538-7 |page=231 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bAwrBgAAQBAJ&dq=primate+bathing&pg=PA231 |access-date=30 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mellin |first1=Joshua |title=Japan's snow monkeys de-stress in hot springs |url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/snow-monkeys-hot-springs-japan/index.html |work=CNN |date=4 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> <!-- Elephants, hippos, ...? --> [[File:20250401 white throated sparrow bathing south meadows wm.webm|thumb|A white-throated sparrow bathes in a shallow puddle]]
=== Dust bathing === Dust bathing is the process of an animal covering themselves, or bathing themselves in dust. In bobwhite quail, the dust bathing sequence follows a consistent pattern with minor variations. The quail begins by pecking at the dust before squatting in it, then uses its wings and feet to disperse the dust over its body, and finally shakes off the excess. This behavior is associated with feather maintenance, particularly the distribution of natural oils.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Borchett|first=P.L.|date=1975|title=The organization of dustbathing components in bobwhite quail (colinus virginianus)|journal=Behaviour|volume=53|issue=3|pages=217–237|doi=10.1163/156853975x00209}}</ref> Dust bathing also serves a reproductive function. In degus, males exhibit increased dust bathing frequency during the breeding season, likely to deposit scent marks that may deter rival males or attract potential mates.<ref name=":73" /> Conversely, dustbathing is frequent in female chickens as a part of reproductive behaviour.<ref name=":43" /> thumb|alt=House sparrows dust bathing|House sparrows dust bathing
=== Wallowing === thumb|A pig wallowing in mud Wallowing is characterized by the rolling or rubbing of an animal's body in mud<ref name=":82">{{Cite journal | doi=10.1111/j.1439-0310.1974.tb01806.x|title = Social Aspects of Wallowing Behaviour in Red Deer Herds| journal=Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie| volume=34| issue=4| pages=329–336|year = 2010|last1 = Gossow|first1 = Hartmut| last2=Schürholz| first2=Götz}}</ref> or excrement (feces or urine).<ref name=":23"/> In red deer, wallowing involves kicking and pawing at mud, kneeling, and rolling in it. This behavior serves a strong social function by reinforcing hierarchy and group cohesion. Young deer initiate wallowing, attracting dominant individuals and fostering competition, which aids in their integration into the group. Additionally, wallowing often occurs before group activities, promoting synchronization and collective behavior.<ref name=":82" /> In pigs, another function of wallowing is presented, thermoregulation. When presented with increased temperature and humidity, pigs will wallow to regulate their body temperature.<ref name=":23" />
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Es juckt dem Kälbchen.JPG|Scratching by a calf File:Hen dustbathing.jpg|Dustbathing by a hen File:Pamlico rolling horse.jpg|Rolling in water by a horse File:Let's not forget how well mud will exfoliate and moisturize your skin.jpg|Wallowing by pigs File:Lemurs sunning.jpg|Sunbathing by lemurs File:Clouded Leopard Stretch.jpg|Stretching by a clouded leopard File:Great-egret-preening.jpg|Preening by an egret File:Verspielte Fischotter Wildpark Pforzheim.JPG|Playing by otters File:Leeuw (4065233117).jpg|Yawning by a lion File:Flickr - bslmmrs - Barcelona Park Guell.jpg|Water-bathing by a pigeon </gallery>
==See also== * Personal grooming * Ethogram
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Animal behaviour}}
Category:Ethology