Breaking the spell: Changes in the behavior of two zoo-kept tigers (Panthera tigris) after exposure to a distinct feast-and-fast feeding regime.
Zoo Biol
; 43(4): 340-353, 2024.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38738552
ABSTRACT
The behavior of zoo carnivores has received intense attention due to their propensity for locomotor stereotypies. We observed two adult male tiger (Panthera tigris) siblings kept together for the duration of 104 days by round-the-clock video observation. The period consisted of three baseline periods with the zoo's regular feeding regime of five feeding days per week interrupted by two individual fasting days, with feeding occurring in the evening (B1-B3 of 14 days each). These periods were interrupted by two intervention periods (I1 randomized feeding times, 28 days; I2 gorge-feeding with three 10-day fasting periods, 34 days). As expected, day and night-time behavior was different, with the majority of sleep occurring at night. Pacing, which was mainly considered anticipatory, significantly decreased from 88 ± 132 min/day during B1 to 20 ± 33 min/day during B3. Pacing did not increase during the fasting days of I2. Over the course of whole study, lying time decreased and nonpacing locomotion increased. A major difference was observed between gorge-feeding and the subsequent first fasting days during gorge-feeding, tigers spent a large part of the day feeding and locomoting (and less sleeping); on the subsequent day, they locomoted about 4.5 h less and slept about 4.3 h more. We suggest that interrupting routines by fasting periods of several days may be effective for reducing regular anticipatory behavior and creates an across-day structure that may correspond to the evolved psychological disposition of large carnivores.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Conducta Animal
/
Tigres
/
Conducta Alimentaria
/
Animales de Zoológico
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Zoo Biol
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Alemania
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos