Meeroos are a "breedable"- ergo, a majority of people who keep and raise them are interested in their genetics and breeding behavior. How the genes carry, what genes are dominant, how the regard point spread of individual, meeroo, and fellowship affect the carrying of traits, etc.

Since I've owned meeroos though, what has fascinated me the most has been their *behaviors*. Not the simple little surface-programmed stuff like, Shies hide their eyes, and Friendlies stalk and pounce, or the obvious fact that roos fare better when regularly petted, but rather, why do roos of a certain species seem to flock together, when several "families" (stump-groups) are close together? Some of my more interesting observations: Roos are fraternal. Males will form friendships with males and females with females, when breeding is not a factor. Meeroo allegiances shift as well, over time. Frequently, these apparent friendships I mentioned last only a few hours, and at other times, they last for days, or even weeks.

Newly birthed Roos cling close to the nest, no matter how high you set their range- the youngest will hide behind the nest, or in any available terrain features, until they've passed a day or two, and gradually emerge into the social play areas.

Meeroos are innately curious, and will follow and examine new faces, whether meeroo or avatar, who enter their range. Likewise, they will come close and inspect any changes made to their habitats, sometimes taking great interest in such activities. They seem to delight in newly introduced features for a time. For example, I build a small pond near one nest, and not only that family, but all my roos seem to enjoy wading in the pool, pounching the standing stone there, and hopping in and out of the water.

I'm very curious how much of this is simply "programmed" in some way, and how much is not the direct result of deliberate programming. Are these creatures programmed to learn and develop behaviors? (If not, then I hope no one disillusions me- it's a wonderful illusion.)

Does anyone else find the changing patterns of Roo behavior intriguing?