Object Play as a Positive Emotional State Indicator for Farmed Spotted Paca (Cuniculus paca).
Animals (Basel)
; 14(1)2023 Dec 25.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38200809
ABSTRACT
We aimed to assess whether object play can be used as a positive emotional state indicator for farmed spotted pacas (Cuniculus paca) by examining its association with other positive welfare markers including affiliative behavior and low-amplitude vocalizations. We submitted six groups of spotted pacas (one male/two females per group) (N = 18) to an ABA experimental design (A1/A2 without ball; B with three boomer balls). Object play behavior occurred only during phase B (mean = 35.5 s, SE = 6.4). The spotted pacas spent more time in affiliative and exploratory behaviors and less time engaging in agonistic interactions during phase B than in both control phases (A1 and A2) (p < 0.05). Moreover, the spotted pacas emitted more low-amplitude bark vocalizations during phase B than during either control phase (p < 0.05), and such vocalizations have previously been shown to indicate a positive affective state and low arousal level. Because the expression of object play was associated with a decrease in aggression, an increase in affiliative behavior, and an increase in low-amplitude barking, we suggest that object play can be used as a non-invasive indicator of positive emotional state in this species.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Animals (Basel)
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Brasil
País de publicação:
Suíça