The Development of Juvenile-Typical Patterns of Play Fighting in Juvenile Rats Does Not Depend on Peer-Peer Play Experience in the Peri-Weaning Period

Play fighting in rats involves attack and defense of the nape. To protect the nape, rats use a variety of defensive tactics, with different strains having specific preferences. Targeting of the nape is established before weaning and defense matures over the course of the week preceding and the week proceeding weaning. Thus, it is possible that experience from engaging in immature forms of play is needed to consolidate the nape as the playful...