Notes on Paternal Behavior in Djungarian Hamsters During Birth

Overview of Paternal Behavior in Hamsters

• Study Focus: Examination of male Djungarian hamsters' participation in birthing processes, marking the first observation of male mammals actively involved in delivery.

Key Species and Their Behaviors

• Djungarian Hamster (Phodopus campbelli):

  • Known for natural biparental care.
  • Males are involved in the survival and growth of pups both directly and indirectly.
  • Significant hormonal changes occur prior to the first birth to facilitate paternal behaviors.

• Siberian Hamster (P. sungorus):

  • Males do not contribute to pup survival under laboratory conditions, only interacting intermittently with pups seasonally.

Hormonal Changes and Behavior

• Hypothesis: Males of P. campbelli display paternal behaviors upon first contact with pups during birth, unlike P. sungorus males.
• Hormonal Priming: Unique hormonal adjustments in P. campbelli may enable the expression of these paternal behaviors.

Documented Paternal Behaviors during BirthProcess

• Direct Observations:
  A comprehensive list of behaviors exhibited by P. campbelli during the birthing process:

  • Lick Amniotic Fluid:
  • Males lick the amniotic fluid during labor, leading to facial grooming to clean moisture.
  • Assist Delivery:
  • Males use forepaws/incisors to help in physically delivering the pups.
  • Clear Airway:
  • Post-birth, males clear fluids/membranes from the nostrils, changing the pup’s coloration from deep blue/purple to bright red, indicating successful oxygenation.
  • Clean Afterbirth:
  • Males groom the neonates and consume remaining membranes after birth.
  • Eat Placenta:
  • Both males and females consume the placenta entirely post-delivery.
  • Carry Neonate:
  • Males transport neonates back to the nest area, especially if the female moves them.
  • Repair Nest:
  • Males fix any nesting disruptions caused during labor.
  • Babysit:
  • Males supervise pups while females are busy with subsequent births or eating.

Conclusion

• The observation of P. campbelli behaviors suggests that they are not unique; other species may also display developed paternal behaviors during birthing.