Influence of social status on paternal behaviour in mice

House mice (_Mus musculus domesticus_) in triads of one female and two males showed differences in parental behaviour and the influence of male social status. Every test consisted in putting a strange test-pup into the cage of the triad. Many parental activities and particularly retrieving were recorded. The results demonstrated the social dominance of the female on the males, while the males maintained their hierarchy status, whether the female was present or not. The “killer” dominant male was less interested in parental care than the “normal” dominant male. The origin of such behaviour in relation to the possible social situation of the “killer” male in a natural environment is discussed.