What behavior is commonly exhibited by a dominant rodent towards its cagemates?

The behavior commonly exhibited by a dominant rodent toward its cagemates includes grooming or chewing the hair off the head, neck, and back of subordinate rodents. This behavior is often a form of dominance display, where the dominant individual asserts its status in the group hierarchy. It can also be related to social bonding, although in excessive cases it might indicate stress or aggression towards a specific individual.

In social animals like rodents, dominance hierarchies can influence interactions, and grooming behaviors can serve as a means of establishing and maintaining these hierarchies. The act of removing fur from others might be tied to the feelings of security or control that the dominant rodent experiences within its environment.

Other behaviors that might be involved in rodent social dynamics, such as tail chewing or outright attacking, usually reflect different levels of stress, aggression, or territorial disputes, rather than a typical dominant behavior. Refusing to eat often indicates stress or illness rather than a clear display of dominance within the social structure.