Behavioural pattern of zoo-housed Collared anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla) exposed to natural photoperiod and temperature variation.

EGUIZABAL GABINA; FERREYRA MARIANA; SILVETTI LUNA EMILCE; GARCÍA CAPOCASA MARÍA CONSTANZA; VILLARREAL DANIEL; SUPERINA MARIELLA; BUSSO JM

Berlín

Conferencia; 10th International Conference on Behaviour, Physioogy and Genetics of wildlife; 2015

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research

Behaviour is a natural response elicited when animals reactto environmental stimuli, such as abiotic (e.g. light, temperature) and bioticfactors (e.g. social interactions, food). The use of behavioural observations asa non-invasive tool in ex situ animalmanagement and welfare has notably increased in recent years. This study aimed atdescribing the behaviour of zoo-housed Tamanduatetradactyla exposed to natural photoperiod and temperature variation. Adultanteaters (3♀, 3♂) from Córdoba Zoo (Argentina) were monitored during 11 weeks(October-December 2014). Animals were individually housed in open enclosures, wherethey were exposed to natural light cycles and ambient temperatures, and fed oncedaily. Behavioural categories were defined based on an ethogram previouslyestablished and validated for the species at the zoo (Eguizábal et al.,2013), and included (a) resting, (b) locomotion, (c) feeding, (d) exploring,and (e) stereotyped pacing. Behavioural observations were performed using theinstantaneous samplingmethod once a week between 2 and 5 PM. Each animal wasobserved during two 30-minute periods per day, and its behaviour was recorded every2 minutes. A total of 1,920 records were obtained. The percent frequency ofeach category was statistically analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. One of the males was excluded from analyses becausethe location and structure of the shelter prevented its observation on several occasions. An 84.9±7.9 (Mean±SEM; %) of natural behaviours (a-d)was recorded: (a) 48.9±12.1; (b) 9.2±2.9; (c) 12.8±2.6; and (d) 14.0±4.6.Foraging behaviour (feeding+exploring, c+d) varied between 16-34%. Although stereotypedpacing (e) was more frequent in males (34.3±0.0%) than females (2.3±2.4%), sex differenceswere not significant. Moreover, no significant gender differences were recordedin any other behavioural category. Finally, results suggest that resting,foraging, and stereotyped pacing are the most frequently exhibited behavioursin zoo-housed collared anteaters exposed to natural photoperiod and temperature.Further research is in progress to monitor seasonal variations in this activitypattern. Additionally, more studies are necessary to understand high values ofstereotyped pacing in males, especially whether they are related toinsufficient space or habitat complexity. Accordingly, behavioural assessments arean easy-to-implement method to monitor individual stress responses of collaredanteaters to management by humans.