I just introduced two boars to each other tonight. Momo approached totoro making happy squeaking noises, but then stretched out and made these intense vibrating/rumbling noises and rubbed his body all over totoro. Totoro didn't really run but jumped around a little (couldn't tell if it was popcorning?) They rubbed noses and licked faces a bit. Totoro didn't make any noises, except for a few squeaking noises if momo accidentally stepped over his face. Momo didn't seem to mount really, in fact, he would try to dive under totoro. He would make the rumbling noises almost constantly while rubbing all over totoro. Totoro would run a little bit but not like he was scared, just seemed like he was like "whoa whoa I just met you, give me time!" Momo nipped a tiny bit I think at totoros feet, but totoro didn't run or make noise so I figured it wasn't in a harmful way. Any time totoro was trying to eat momo would dip his head under totoro's and rub. Totoro would shake his head a bit to kind of tell momo to stop, but never nipped. There was no teeth chattering or aggressive behavior that I could tell. They settled down and cuddled a bit. And if totoro was ever startled, he would immediately run to momo and try to cuddle up. I can't tell if one is being dominant? Momo is naturally very outgoing and totoro seems to be more skittish. Does it seem like they like each other?
Can't Tell Who Is Dominant Or If Both Are Submissive?
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Glad that your boys are such fast friends and so fond of each other! Not all boars are right-out dominant. My guess is that Momo is the top boar, but he is using only the mildest of dominance behaviours.
You may recognise several behaviours in this thread here: Illustrated Bonding Behaviours And Dynamics
Thanks everyone! I'm surprised because I think momo is a little younger. Here's a picture of them the first time they met, about 20 minutes into it. Momo is the black one, he looks bigger because he's all stretched out and relaxed, but really I think totoro is bigger.
Size is not everything! I know quite a few pairs or groups where it is one of the smallest guinea pigs that is in the lead!
Freela
Senior Guinea Pig
Age and size really is not the biggest factor in dominance. Some guinea pigs have forceful personalities, others are happy to follow and not interested in being the leader. When we introduced our two current pigs, Sundae (aged 4.5 at the time) was immediately subordinate to Hadley (who was 12 weeks old and about a third of her size at the time!) Sundae is very much a follower and has no interest in being the boss. We actually picked her out because of her very chill personality to be a companion to our extremely dominant sow, Linney. We figured that they would get along well, since Sundae seemed very unlikely to ever stand up to Linney at all, which was the way Linney liked things! LOL! After Linney passed away we thought Sundae might have to opportunity to be the boss if she wanted, but she was very happy to fall in line behind Hadley and go back to being second fiddle in her new partnership!
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
To emphasise the size/age thing... I started with two females with the oldest/biggest being dominant. I then introduced a neutered male and the same pig stayed the most dominant. Introduced a 6 week old female and still tip pig didn't change. When she finally passed away, the 6 week old (was then 3.5 years and my smallest pig in weight) shot to the top of the hierarchy over the 4.5 and 5 year old pigs. Since introducing a 6 month old last year the newbie has become the dominant one lol!
Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of piggies
Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of piggies
Thanks everyone! It would kind of explain a lot. Totoro seems pretty laid back and quiet, and only seems interested in hay. Totoro is a little ball of energy who is ALWAYS making noise and popcorning everywhere and is really outgoing.
Well everyone....I found out why momo wasn't aggressively dominant and why they got along so well. Totoro is a female! I've seperated them (positive there was no chance they had a chance to do anything, they were only together twice and it was supervised) I'm getting momo neutered. The only concern is that the pet store had totoro with other males, so hopefully she isn't pregnant from them. If she is pregnant......I will be posting a lot more asking questions!
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