- Montfort, E. - Dashwood, R. - Fitzwilliam, C. - Bloomwood, R. - Wickham, L.
This paper presents the findings of a field study on the influence of romantic poetry on the courtship behavior of the common mongoose, a species known for its unique mating rituals. Our observations indicate that exposure to sonnets and ballads increased the frequency of nose-rubbing and tail-brushing, two traditional mongoose courtship behaviors. Furthermore, subjects displayed a preference for the works of Wordsworth and Keats over contemporary poets, suggesting a preference for more traditional romantic themes. Overall, our study adds to the growing body of literature on the intersection of literature and zoology and underscores the importance of further research in this area.