Self-anointing in animals#Ungulates

Several primate species self-anoint with various items such as millipedes, leaves and fruit. They sometimes drool while doing this.{{cite web|url=http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/capuchin_squirrel_monkeys_tcm4-669209.pdf|title=Living together - capuchin and squirrel monkeys|author=Buchanan-Smith, H.M.|year=2008|access-date=November 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229024659/http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/capuchin_squirrel_monkeys_tcm4-669209.pdf|archive-date=December 29, 2014|url-status=dead}} Both capuchin monkeys and squirrel monkeys perform urine washing, when they deposit a small quantity of urine onto the palm of a hand and then rub it on the sole of the opposite foot. It is thought to have multiple functions including hygiene, thermoregulation and response to irritation from biting ectoparasites (such as ticks and botfly). Some strepsirrhines and New World monkeys also self-anoint the body with urine to communicate.{{cite book|first=Richard|last=Estes|title=The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g977LsZHpcsC&dq=urine+marking+primates&pg=PA464|access-date=25 December 2012|year=1991|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-08085-0|pages=464–}}{{cite book | editor1-last = Nowak | editor1-first = R. M | publisher = Johns Hopkins University Press | title = Walker's Mammals of the World | edition = 6th | chapter = Primates of the world: An introduction | last1 = Mittermeier | first1 = R. A. | last2 = Rylands | first2 = A. B. | last3 = Konstant | first3 = W. R. | year = 1999 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/walkersprimateso0000nowa/page/1 1–52] | isbn = 978-0-8018-6251-9 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=unODoWa7CM4C&pg=PA1 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/walkersprimateso0000nowa/page/1 }}

Wild wedge-capped capuchin monkeys (Cebus olivaceus) self-anoint with millipedes (Orthoporus dorsovittatus). Chemical analysis revealed these millipedes secrete two benzoquinones, compounds known to be potently repellent to insects{{cite journal|journal=Naturwissenschaften|year=2003|volume=90|issue=7|pages=301–304|doi=10.1007/s00114-003-0427-2|pmid=12883771|first1=P.J.|last1=Weldon|first2=J.R.|last2=Aldrich|first3=J.A.|last3=Klun|first4=J.E.|last4=Oliver|first5=M.|last5=Debboun|title=Benzoquinones from millipedes deter mosquitoes and elicit self-anointing in capuchin monkeys (Cebus spp)|url=http://www.living-links.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Research-Article-2-Short-Communication.pdf|bibcode=2003NW.....90..301W|s2cid=15161505|access-date=2013-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083646/http://www.living-links.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Research-Article-2-Short-Communication.pdf|archive-date=2014-10-06|url-status=dead}} and the secretions are thought to provide protection against insects, particularly mosquitoes (and the bot flies they transmit) during the rainy season. Millipede secretion is so avidly sought by the monkeys that up to four of them will share a single millipede. The anointment must also involve risks, since benzoquinones are toxic and carcinogenic; however, it is likely that for capuchins, the immediate benefits of self-anointment outweigh the long-term costs.{{cite journal|first1=X.|last1=Valderrama|first2=J.G.|last2=Robinson|first3=A.B.|last3=Attygalle|first4=T.|last4= Eisner|title=Seasonal anointment with millipedes in a wild primate: A chemical defense against insects?|journal=Journal of Chemical Ecology|year=2000|volume=26|issue=12|pages=2781–2790|doi=10.1023/A:1026489826714|bibcode=2000JCEco..26.2781V |s2cid=25147071}} Secretions from these millipedes also elicit self-anointing in captive male and female tufted capuchin (C. apella) and white-faced capuchin (C. capucinus) monkeys.

Wild Cebus anoint more with plant parts, including fruits, whereas wild Sapajus anoint more with ants and other arthropods. White-faced capuchins in particular use more plant species at each site for anointing compared with other capuchins and may specialize in anointing as an activity independent from foraging, whereas most other capuchin species tend to eat the substances they use for anointing. Wild Cebus anoint at a higher frequency than Sapajus as occurs in captive groups. However, contrary data from captive animals there no difference in the range of sociality for anointing between Cebus and Sapajus in the wild.{{cite journal|title=Anointing variation across wild capuchin populations: a review of material preferences, bout frequency and anointing sociality in Cebus and Sapajus|first=J.W.|last=Lynch Alfaro|journal=American Journal of Primatology|volume=74|issue=4|pages=299–314|year=2012|doi=10.1002/ajp.20971|pmid=21769906|s2cid=14560688|display-authors=etal }}

Capuchin monkeys at the Edinburgh Zoo rub onions and limes on their skin and into their fur as an antiseptic and insect repellent.{{cite web|url=http://sorendreier.com/what-can-we-learn-from-natures-self-medicators/|author=Dreier, S.|title=What can we learn from nature's self-medicators?|year=2013|access-date=November 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235118/http://sorendreier.com/what-can-we-learn-from-natures-self-medicators/|archive-date=December 30, 2013|url-status=dead}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5TDlG441gA] Video of capuchins self-anointing.

White-faced capuchin monkeys sometimes anoint their bodies with mud and plant matter, a natural insect repellent. With their heads and faces slathered in this mixture, these highly social primates lose their ability to recognise each other and previously friendly monkeys can become fighting foes.{{cite web|url=http://discovermagazine.com/2013/march/7-monkey-face#.UoVMECcV8YI|title=How evolution made the monkey face|author=Abbasi, J.|year=2013|access-date=November 14, 2013}}

Mexican spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) self-anoint with the leaves of three species of plants;

the Alamos pea tree (Brongniartia alamosana), the trumpet tree (Cecropia obtusifolia) and wild celery (Apium graveolens). In one study, only two males in a group of 10 individuals displayed self-anointing. Only the sternal and axillary regions of the body were rubbed with the mix of saliva and plant material. There was a lack of correlation between the occurrence of self-anointing and time of day, season of the year, ambient temperature or humidity, indicating that this behaviour does not function in repelling insects and/or mitigating topical skin infections in this species. Rather, the three plant species spread an intensive and aromatic odour when crushed, indicating that self-anointing in Mexican spider monkeys may play a role in the context of social communication, possibly for signalling of social status or to increase sexual attractiveness.{{cite journal|first1=M.|last1=Laska|first2=V.|last2=Bauer|first3=L.T.H.|last3=Salazar|journal=Primates|year=2007|volume=48|issue=2|pages=160–163|title=Self-anointing behavior in free-ranging spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) in Mexico|doi=10.1007/s10329-006-0019-9|pmid=17103123|s2cid=19156708}}

{{main|Ring-tailed lemur#Olfactory communication}}

Male ring-tailed lemurs have scent glands on their wrists, chests, and in the genital area. During encounters with rival males they may perform ritualised aggression by having a "stink fight". The males anoint their tails by rubbing the ends of their tails on the inside of their wrists and on their chests. They then arch their tails over their bodies and wave them at their opponent. The male toward which this is directed either responds with a display of his own, physical aggression, or flees. "Stink fights" can last from 10 minutes to one hour.{{cite web|url=http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/ring-tailed_lemur/behav|author=Cawthon Lang, K.A.|year=2005|title=Primate Factsheets: Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) Behavior |publisher=Wisconsin Primate Research Center (WPRC)|access-date=June 29, 2013}}

Black lemurs have also been observed self-anointing with millipedes.{{cite journal|last=Birkinshaw|first=C.R.|title=Use of millipedes by black lemurs to anoint their bodies|journal= Folia Primatologica|volume=70|issue=3|pages=170–171|year=1999|doi=10.1159/000021691|pmid=10394067|s2cid=36036598}}

File:Bull Elk peeing on himself.webm

Several ungulates self-anointGosling, L. M. "[https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Leonard_Gosling/publication/230317056_A_Reassessment_of_the_Function_of_Scent_Marking_in_Territories/links/59dcd8b4a6fdcca56e35e24c/A-Reassessment-of-the-Function-of-Scent-Marking-in-Territories.pdf A reassessment of the function of scent marking in territories]." Ethology 60.2 (1982): 89-118. by spraying urine onto their own bodies{{cite journal|author1=Terry, B.R. |author2=Kitchen, D.W. |name-list-style=amp |title=Significance of scent-marking by Roosevelt elk|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=68|issue=2|year=1987|pages=418–423|doi=10.2307/1381489 |jstor=1381489 }}{{cite journal | last1 = Rice | first1 = Clifford G | year = 1988 | title = Agonistic and sexual behavior of Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius) | journal = Ethology | volume = 78 | issue = 2| pages = 89–112 | doi=10.1111/j.1439-0310.1988.tb00222.x| bibcode = 1988Ethol..78...89R }}{{cite journal | last1 = Miura | first1 = Shingo | year = 1985 | title = Why do male sika deer wallow during the rut?. | journal = Journal of Ethology | volume = 3 | issue = 1| pages = 73–75 | doi=10.1007/bf02348168| s2cid = 36527788 }} or onto the ground or into a wallow before rubbing themselves onto the substrate.

In Nile lechwe, a unique form of marking is seen with the start of mating. The male bends his head to the ground and urinates on his throat and cheek hair. He then rubs his dripping beard on the female's forehead and rump.{{cite web|last=Corrie|first=Julia|title=Kobus megaceros|url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Kobus_megaceros.html|work=University of Michigan Museum of Zoology|publisher=Animal Diversity Web}}{{cite journal|last=Falchetti|first=E.|author2=Ceccarelli, A. |title=A peculiar behaviour of the dominant males of Nile lechwes (Kobus megaceros, Bovidae Reduncinae): urination on the neck|journal=Ethology Ecology & Evolution|date=1 September 1993|volume=5|issue=3|pages=392–393|doi=10.1080/08927014.1993.9523048|bibcode=1993EtEcE...5..392F }}

{{see also|Wallowing#Deer}}

Unlike other deer species, chital do not spray urine on their bodies.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bcWZX-IMEVkC&dq=chital+deer+urine+spray+conspicuously&pg=PA68 |title=Deer of the World: Their Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology - Valerius Geist - Google Books |access-date=2012-11-20|isbn=9780811704960 |date=January 1998 |last1=Geist |first1=Valerius |publisher=Stackpole Books }} Instead, male chital mark their territory by dripping urine in scrapes, and then pawing them.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KowTAQAAMAAJ |title=The encyclopedia of deer: your guide to the world's deer species including … |author=Leonard Lee Rue |access-date=2012-11-20|isbn=9780896585904 |year=2003 |publisher=Voyageur Press }}

Sambar stags will wallow and dig their antlers in urine soaked soil and then rub against tree trunks.Deer of the world: their evolution, behaviour, and ecology. Valerius Geist. Stackpole Books. 1998. Pg. 73-77.The Deer and the Tiger: A Study of Wildlife in India. George Schaller. University Of Chicago Press. 1967. Pg. 134-148. (Midway Reprint) A stag will also mark himself by spraying urine directly in the face with a highly mobile penis, which is often erect during rutting activities. Similar urine-spraying behavior is common in other deer species, and is known as automarking.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2vf7ZbLENzEC&dq=deer+urine+spray+territory&pg=PA48 |title=Animal Behavior Desk Reference: A Dictionary of Animal Behavior, Ecology … |first=Edward M. |last=Barrows |access-date=2012-11-20|isbn=9781439836514 |date=2011-04-26 |publisher=CRC Press }}

File:20241125 self anointing white tailed deer cedar hill.webm

Throughout the year white-tailed deer will rub-urinate, a process during which a deer squats while urinating so that urine will run down the insides of the deer's legs, over the tarsal glands, and onto the hair covering these glands.{{cite book|first1=Erwin A.|last1=Bauer|author2-link=Peggy Bauer|first2=Peggy|last2=Bauer|title=Antlers: Nature's Majestic Crown|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PGe5nMcghWAC&dq=jaguar+urinate&pg=PA93|access-date=8 February 2013|date=1 August 2000|publisher=Voyageur Press|isbn=978-0-89658-374-0|pages=93–}} Bucks rub-urinate more frequently during the breeding season.Karen J. Alexy, Jonathan W. Gassett, David A. Osborn and Karl V. Miller, (2001). "White-Tailed Deer Rubs and Scrapes: Spatial, Temporal and Physical Characteristics and Social Role", Wildlife Society Bulletin, 29(3): 873-878.

File:Elk.webm

Bull elk often dig holes in the ground, in which they urinate and roll their body. The urine soaks into their hair and gives them a distinct smell which attracts cows.{{cite web | title = Elk | work = Living with Wildlife | publisher = Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | url = http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/elk.html | access-date = 2010-12-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110110045623/http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/elk.html | archive-date = 2011-01-10 | url-status = dead }} Some deer species, including elk, can mark themselves by spraying urine on their bodies from an erect penis.{{cite book|title=Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iWRMAQAAIAAJ&q=deer+penis+urine+spraying|access-date=5 July 2013|year=1975}}{{cite book|first=Bryce|last=Towsley|title=Big Bucks The Benoit Way: Secrets From America's First Family of Whitetail Hunting|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DX8Jknvz7FAC&dq=deer+penis+urinating&pg=PA57|access-date=5 July 2013|date=13 August 2008|publisher=Krause Publications|isbn=978-1-4402-2631-1|pages=57–}}{{cite book|first=Fritz R.|last=Walther|title=Communication and expression in hoofed mammals|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vTtErpxA8BYC&q=deer+penis+urinating|access-date=5 July 2013|year=1984|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-31380-5}}{{cite book|first1=Benjamin B.|last1=Beck|first2=Christen M.|last2=Wemmer|title=The Biology and management of an extinct species: Père David's deer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g2W1AAAAIAAJ&q=deer+penis+urine+spraying|access-date=5 July 2013|year=1983|publisher=Noyes Publications|isbn=978-0-8155-0938-7}}{{cite book|title=Journal of the Mammalogical Society of Japan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w91KAAAAYAAJ&q=deer+penis+urine+spraying|access-date=5 July 2013|year=1986|publisher=The Society}} One type of scent-marking behavior in elk is known as "thrash-urination,{{Cite journal |jstor = 2459577|title = Functions of Scent-Urination in Ungulates with Special Reference to Feral Goats (Capra hircus L.)|journal = The American Naturalist|volume = 110|issue = 974|pages = 549–557|last1 = Coblentz|first1 = Bruce E.|year = 1976|doi = 10.1086/283090|s2cid = 84536198}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JAcpAQAAMAAJ&q=thrash-urinate |title=The tule elk: its history, behavior, and ecology - Dale R. McCullough - Google Books |access-date=2012-11-30|isbn=9780520019218 |last1=McCullough |first1=Dale R. |year=1969 |publisher=University of California Press }}{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=7qogKGcOENAC | title = Current Therapy in Large Animal Theriogenology | isbn = 9781437713404 | last1 = Youngquist | first1 = Robert S | last2 = Threlfall | first2 = Walter R | date = 2006-11-23 }} which typically involves palpitation of the erect penis.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EV_9pXU1EToC |title=Ultimate Elk Hunting: Strategies, Techniques & Methods|first=Jay|last=Houston|access-date=2013-02-10|isbn=9781616732813|date=2008-07-07}}{{Cite journal | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=WWEQAQAAMAAJ&q=elk+urine+palpitation | title = Behavior of elk (Cervus canadensis) during the rut | last1 = Struhsaker | first1 = Thomas T | year = 1967 }} A male elk's urethra points upward so that urine is sprayed almost at a right angle to the penis.

When urine marking, the male elk advertises this with a specialised vocalisation called the "bugle". During the last phase of the bugle, the bull rubs (palpates) his belly in rhythm with "yelps". He then directs a spray of urine towards his stomach or the ground. The hair on his stomach in front of the penis becomes soaked with urine and gains a dark brown tint.

Urine spraying is a variable behaviour. It may consist of simply dribbling a few drops of urine, or, large rhythmic discharges from an erect penis. A stream may be aimed at the mane on the neck, or, a fine mist might be sprayed against the stomach. The bull usually rub/palpates during this process. The urine can be voided almost at right angles to the erect penis. When a large volume of urine is sprayed, it usually takes place at a wallow. When urine spraying, the bull lowers his head towards the ground. In this position, his mane becomes soaked as he sprays urine forwards, between his legs. Once the wallow has been created, the male elk lowers himself into the area, rolls on his side and rub his mane on the soaked area of the wallow. He rubs the side of his face, his chest, stomach, legs, and flanks, which all become caked with mud. During wallowing, the elk's penis may remain erect and he may continue to spray urine.{{cite web|url=http://www.bowhunting.net/NAspecies/elk3.html#adver |author=Keck, S. |title=Elk (Cervus Canadensis) |access-date=November 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002031259/http://www.bowhunting.net/naspecies/elk3.html |archive-date=October 2, 2013 }}{{cite journal|last=Bowyer|first=R. Terry|author2=Kitchen, David W. |date=October 1987|title=Sex and age-class differences in vocalizations of Roosevelt elk during rut|journal=American Midland Naturalist|volume=118|issue=2|pages=225–35|jstor=2425779|doi=10.2307/2425779}}

{{multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=220px

|image1=Bellowing stag in Bushy Park during the rut (45123187511).jpg

|image2=Red stag in rutting season , running urine (44402622704).jpg

|image3=Red Deer Stag scenting itself with urine during the rut - Bushy Park (45123184221).jpg

|image4=Red stag spraying in Bushy Park (30185346237).jpg

|footer=Red deer "anointing" himself in Bushy Park

}}

Male red deer anoint their wallows with urine and roll in these in a very similar way to elk.{{cite journal | last1 = Lincoln | first1 = G. A. | year = 1971 | title = The seasonal reproductive changes in the red deer stag (Cervus elaphus) | journal = Journal of Zoology | volume = 163 | issue = 1| pages = 105–123 | doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1971.tb04527.x }}

Male goats self-anoint with their urine. This is done by extending the penis, bending the haunches and

extending the head backwards causing the urine to hit the mouth, throat, face and beard. This type of urination is possibly an indicator of rank and physical condition,{{cite web|url=http://animalbehaviour.net/JudithKBlackshaw/Chapter3d.htm|title=Behavioural profiles of domestic animals - Goats|first=J.K.|last=Blackshaw|publisher=AnimalBehaviour.net|access-date=November 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031119203946/http://www.animalbehaviour.net/JudithKBlackshaw/Chapter3d.htm|archive-date=2003-11-19|url-status=dead}} and plays an important role in goat reproduction.{{cite journal|last=Shank|first=C.C.|year=1972|title=Some aspects of social behaviour in a population of feral goats (Capra hircus L.)|journal=Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie|volume=30|issue=5|pages=488–528|doi=10.1111/j.1439-0310.1972.tb00876.x}}

The rice-field rat (Rattus rattoides) displays self-anointing behaviour in response to the anal-gland secretions of the weasel Mustela sibirica; however, they do not respond to the faeces and urine of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Juvenile rats born in the laboratory with no experience of weasels also display self-anointing behaviour. In this species, the self-anointing behaviour is not sex-specific or age-specific.{{cite journal|title=Self-anointing behavior in the rice-field rat Rattus rattoides|first1=Z.|last1=Xu|first2=D.M.|last2=Stoddart|first3=H.|last3=Ding|first4=J.|last4=Zhang|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=6|issue=4|year=1995|pages=1238–1241|doi=10.2307/1382617|jstor=1382617}}

Ground squirrels chew rattlesnake skins and then lick their fur, a behaviour likely to deter that particular predator.

File:Riccio autosputo.jpg

European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) have been widely reported to self-anoint with a range of toxic and irritating substances, particularly when introduced to a new or strong-smelling substance. These substances include toad skin, tobacco, soap and faecal matter.{{cite journal|last1=Brodie|first1=E.D. III|last2=Brodie|first2=E.D. Jr.|last3=Johnson|first3=J.A.|title=Breeding the African hedgehog in captivity|journal=International Zoo Yearbook|year=1982|volume=22|pages=195–197|doi=10.1111/j.1748-1090.1982.tb02033.x|url=https://52df0329-1f8a-4d09-8c6a-a07b787ffedf.filesusr.com/ugd/2bca32_eb89a23f927f4c34b668dd9a8e16ad25.pdf}} The hedgehog chews and licks at these substances when it encounters them which produces frothy saliva-substance mix that the hedgehog then spreads onto its spines.

Young hedgehogs will react to these substances and sometimes also lick substances on the spines of their mothers and self-anoint. Self-anointing has been observed in hedgehogs as young as 15 days of age, before their eyes open.

In one study, indications of self-anointing were observed in more than 11% of all observations. First-year, independent young self-anointed more than adults, and male hedgehogs had more indications of self-anointing than females. Self-anointing in adults displayed a peak in the summer, while no clear pattern was observed for young. It was concluded that self-anointing is dependent on gender, age and season.{{cite journal| first1=H.|last1=D'Havé|first2=J.|last2=Scheirs|first3=R.|last3=Verhagen|first4=W.|last4=De Coen|title=Gender, age and seasonal dependent self-anointing in the European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus|journal=Acta Theriologica|year=2005|volume=50|issue=2|pages=167–173|doi=10.1007/bf03194480|s2cid=38702763}}

Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain the function of self-anointing in hedgehogs. It may function as a form of scent camouflage, to mask their own scent with the new scent in the environment. Hedgehogs are resistant to many toxins and one theory is that hedgehogs spread toxins on their quills as added protection. Hedgehogs will sometimes kill toads (Bufo), bite into the toads' poison glands and smear the toxic mixture on their spines.{{cite journal|first=E.D.|last=Brodie|year=1977|title=Hedgehogs use toad venom in their own defence|journal=Nature|volume=268|pages=627–628|doi=10.1038/268627a0|issue=5621|bibcode=1977Natur.268..627B|s2cid=4293159}}

File:Female Gray Wolf (6045671715).jpg

Several canines self-anoint. In these species, it is sometimes known as scent rolling.

Domestic dogs often roll in odoriferous substances, choosing items such as cow manure, a road kill, or rotten fish.{{cite web|url=http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/scent-rolling-why-do-dogs-like-rolling-in-smelly-scents|title=Scent rolling: Why do dogs like to roll in smelly scents?|author=Yin, S.|year=2011|access-date=November 26, 2013}}

{{further|Wolf_communication#Olfactory|l1=Olfactory communication in wolves}}

Captive wolves will scent roll in a wide range of substances including animal feces, carrion (elk, mouse, pig, badger), mint extract, perfume, animal repellant, fly repellent, etc.

North American brown bears (Ursus arctos) make a paste of Osha roots (Ligusticum porteri) and saliva and rub it through their fur to repel insects or soothe bites. This plant, locally known as bear root, contains 105 active compounds, such as coumarins that may repel insects when topically applied. Navajo Indians are said to have learned to use this root medicinally from the bear for treating stomach aches and infections.{{cite journal|title=Zoopharmacognosy, the self-medication behavior of animals.|journal=Interfaces Científicas-Saúde e Ambiente|volume=1|issue=1|pages=61–72|year=2012|author=Costa-Neto, E.M.|url=https://periodicos.set.edu.br/index.php/saude/article/download/152/105|doi=10.17564/2316-3798.2012v1n1p61-72|doi-access=free}}

{{Main|Anting (behavior)}}

File:Black Drongo I2 IMG 5683.jpg in a typical "anting" posture]]

The use of millipedes in self-anointing by birds has been reported for the strong-billed woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhyncus) in Belize, the little shrike-thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha parvula) in Australia, the black-throated shrikebill (Clytorhynchus nigrogularis) and the jungle mynah (Acridotheres fuscus) in the Fiji Islands, the European robin (Erithacus rubecula) in England and the grey-winged trumpeter (Psophia crepitans) and the pale-winged trumpeter (P. leucoptera) in northern South America.{{cite journal|last1=Parkes|first1=K.C.|last2=Weldon|first2=P.J.|last3=Hoffman|first3=R.L.|year=2003|title=Polydesmidan millipede used in self-anointing by a strong-billed woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhyncus) from Belize.|journal=Ornitologia Neo-tropical|volume=14|pages=285–286}}

In one study, mothballs (which contain naphthalene) were placed in a flowerbed. A common grackle picked one out, extended its left wing and rubbed the mothball up and down the length of the shaft of each of the secondary feathers. The grackle went on to rub the mothball over its secondary coverts on the ventral side and onto the propatagium area. The grackle then repeated the same rubbing actions on its right wing. The entire rubbing behaviour lasted approximately 10 minutes. European starlings also performed a similar behaviour with mothballs.{{cite journal|title="Anting" Behavior by Common Grackles and European Starlings|first1=C.C.|last1=Clark|first2=L.|last2=Clark|first3=L.|last3=Clark|journal=The Wilson Bulletin|volume=102|issue=1|year=1990|pages=167–169|jstor=4162839}}

During anting, birds rub insects on their feathers, usually ants, which secrete liquids containing chemicals such as formic acid. These can act as an insecticide, miticide, fungicide, bactericide, or to make the insects edible by removing the distasteful acid. It possibly also supplements the bird's own preen oil. Although it has been suggested that anting acts as a way of reducing feather parasites such as mites or in controlling fungi or bacteria, there has been little convincing support for any of the theories.{{cite journal|author1=Revis, H.C. |author2=Waller, D.A. |name-list-style=amp |year=2004|title= Bactericidal and fungicidal ctivity of ant chemicals on feather parasites: an evaluation of anting behavior as a method of self-medication in songbirds|jstor=4090493|journal= The Auk |volume=121|issue=4|pages =1262–1268|doi=10.1642/0004-8038(2004)121[1262:BAFAOA]2.0.CO;2|s2cid=85677766 |doi-access=free}}{{cite journal|author=Lunt, N, P.E.Hulley, A. J. F. K. Craig|year=2004|title=Active anting in captive Cape White-eyes Zosterops pallidus|journal=Ibis|volume=146|pages=360–362|url=http://www.ru.ac.za/academic/departments/zooento/PUBLICATIONS/Lunt%20et%20al%202004.pdf|doi=10.1111/j.1474-919X.2004.00264.x|issue=2|last2=Hulley|last3=Craig}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Some cases of anting involved the use of millipedes or puss moth caterpillars, and these too are known to release powerful defensive chemicals.{{cite journal|author=Clunie, F. |year=1976|title= Jungle mynah "anting" with millipede|journal= Notornis |volume=23|pages= 77}}

Another suggested function, based on observation of blue jays, is that the bird makes the insects edible, by discharging the harmful acid onto their feathers. The birds were found to show anting behaviour only if the ants had a full acid sac, and with subjects whose acid sacs had been experimentally removed, the behaviour was absent.{{cite journal|author=Eisner, T. |year=2008|title="Anting" in Blue Jays, evidence in support of a food-preparatory function|journal=Chemoecology|volume=18|issue=4|pages=197–203|doi=10.1007/s00049-008-0406-3|pmid=19169379|last2=Aneshansley|first2=D|pmc=2630239|bibcode=2008Checo..18..197E }}

Finally, it has also been suggested that anting is related to feather moulting. The metabolic products of the ants may soothe skin irritated by unusually rapid feather replacement. However, the correlation may also be attributed to the greater activity of ants in summer.{{cite journal|last1=Power|first1=E.E.|first2=D.C.|last2=Hauser|year=1974|title=Relationship of anting and sunbathing to molting in wild birds|journal=The Auk|volume=91|issue=3|pages=537–563|url=http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/auk/v091n03/p0537-p0563.pdf|doi=10.2307/4084474|jstor=4084474}}

Some birds like antbirds and flickers not only wear ants, but also consume the ants as an important part of their diet. Other opportunist ant-eating birds include sparrows, wrens, grouse and starlings.{{cite book|last=Taber|first=Stephen Welton|title=The World of the Harvester Ants | series = W.L. Moody, jr. Natural History Series | publisher=Texas A&M University Press|year=1998|volume=23|ol=17071694W}}

Owl monkeys (Aotus spp.) will anoint each other in groups of two or more by rubbing their bodies against one another while self-anointing with millipedes.{{cite journal|last1=Zito|first1=M.|last2=Evans|first2=S.|last3=Welson|first3=P.|year=2003|title=Owl Monkeys (Aotus spp.) self-anoint with plants and millipedes.|journal=Folia Primatologica|volume=74|issue=3|pages=159–161|doi=10.1159/000070649|pmid=12826735|s2cid=46341959}} Social anointing has been observed anecdotally in a captive colony for almost ten years. In 24, 5-min presentations to this group, a total of 25 separate bouts of social anointing were observed. Twenty-four of 35 owl monkeys were observed to socially anoint, including all ages and both sexes, in bouts which ranged from 5–322 seconds.{{cite web|url=https://www.asp.org/meetings/abstractDisplay.cfm?abstractID=4325&confEventID=4497|title=Owl monkeys (Aotus spp.) socially anoint. (Abstract of conference proceedings)|first1=J.P.|last1=Jefferson|first2=E.|last2=Tapanes|first3=B.|last3=Ramil|publisher=American Society of Primatologists|year=2012|access-date=November 9, 2013}}

• Ring-tailed lemur#Olfactory communication
• Personal grooming

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• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYecsLNNvXM Video of self-anointing male elk]

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Category:Animal communication

Category:Ethology

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