scholarly journals The activity patterns of some southern African Crocidura in captivity

1979 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 61-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Baxter ◽  
E. A. Goulden ◽  
J. Meester
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
In Captivity

Observations on Activity Patterns, Population and Den Characteristics of The Water Rat Hydromys chrysogaster Along Badger Creek, Victoria.

1995 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
J.L. Gardner ◽  
M. Serena
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Irrigation Channels ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Hydromys Chrysogaster

The Water Rat Hydromys chrysogaster is Australia's largest amphibious rodent, occupying freshwater rivers, lakes, and coastal and estuarine habitats throughout the continent (Watts and Aslin 1981). Little is known of the species' social organisation or use of space in the wild although Harris (1978) suggested that adults might be intrasexually aggressive. The home ranges of all sex and age classes overlap to some extent but home ranges of adults of the same sex appear to overlap less (Harris 1978). Adult males occupy the largest home ranges which overlap those of one or more females. In captivity individuals kept in groups form hierarchies in which only the dominant females usually breed successfully (Olsen 1982). Fighting occurs primarily among males, with the highest incidence of injuries observed at the beginning of the main September-March breeding season (Olsen 1980, 1982). The results of trapping studies indicate that population density may vary considerably, with the greatest numbers of animals typically occupying man-modified habitats such as irrigation channels or fish farms (McNally 1960, Watts and Aslin 1981, Smales 1984). Aggressive behaviour appears to be related to pelage colour (phenotype) and population density; the higher the density the greater the number of injured individuals (Olsen 1980).

Activity rhythms of southern brown bandicoots Isoodon obesulus (Marsupialia: Peramelidae) in captivity.

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
AN Larcombe
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Late Afternoon ◽  
Activity Rhythms ◽  
Natural Lighting ◽  
Infra Red ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
The Times

The temporal activity patterns of individually housed captive southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus) were recorded using time-lapse infra-red videorecording. Recordings were made over a period of four continuous days per animal under natural lighting and climatic conditions for Perth, Western Australia during March 2002. Analysis showed that all bandicoots were almost entirely nocturnal and spent ~71% (~17 hr day-1) of their time in their nests. The times of onset of activity were remarkably regular, and occurred both following feeding during the late afternoon and again after dusk (average 1841 hrs). Bandicoots were active for an average of ~7 hr night-1. Virtually all activity involved the bandicoots running around their enclosures (~6.5 hr day-1). This running was interspersed with shorter periods spent feeding (~25 min day-1), grooming (~8 min day-1) and drinking (~2 min day-1). No other behaviours were observed. There was a greater degree of variation in the time of cessation of activity between individuals. Time of cessation ranged from 0039 hrs ± 20 min to 0504 hrs ± 25 min. The average time of cessation of activity was 0315 hrs ± 61 min and was not related to either time of onset of activity or sunrise.

Modification of Stereotypic Behaviour in Captive Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus).

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 307
Author(s):  
D.L McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Normal Activity ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Circling Behaviour ◽  
Difficult Situation ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Stereotypic Behaviour ◽  
Time Spent Feeding

Stereotypy is a characteristic occasionally observed in captive animals. This behaviour is regularly associated with animal housing conditions that deviate fundamentally from the species' natural environment. In addition to the detrimental affect it may have on the associated animal, it creates a difficult situation for the public in understanding the presentation of animals in captivity. In April 1996, modification to the platypus exhibit at Healesville Sanctuary resulted in an increased level of light being deflected onto the glass of the shallow tank exhibit. This change in the housing conditions coincided with repetitive circling behaviour by the female platypus and avoidance activity by the male platypus. In addition, the proportion of time spent feeding by the female platypus was reduced. Modification of the exhibit furniture did not significantly alter the female's behaviour. A reduction in the light level being deflected onto the tank resulted in an immediate reduction in the circling behaviour observed for the female. The male resumed free swimming and utilisation of the entire tank. Within two weeks all stereotypic behaviour had ceased and the two platypuses had resumed normal activity patterns.

The effect of environmental variables on the activity patterns of the southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) in captivity: onset, duration and cessation of activity

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay A. Hogan ◽  
Steve D. Johnston ◽  
Allan T. Lisle ◽  
Alan B. Horsup ◽  
Tina Janssen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Daily Activity ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Environmental Influence ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Thermoneutral Zone ◽  
Temperature And Humidity ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
One Year ◽  
Daily Time

The influence of scotoperiod, ambient temperature and humidity on the activity of captive wombats was examined to differentiate environmental influence from that pertaining to food availability. The activity of 12 wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) housed at Rockhampton Zoo was remotely monitored by digital video-surveillance for one year, with environmental variables simultaneously recorded via dataloggers. Mean proportion of total daily time spent active was 18.2 ± 1.8%. Mean daily time spent active varied seasonally according to changes in temperature and humidity. Mean daily activity was greater during winter (301 ± 17 min) and spring (295 ± 16 min), than summer (234 ± 16 min) and autumn (238 ± 15 min) with differences due to a decrease in the number and length of activity bouts in summer and autumn; presumably these results reflect a need to maintain heat balance associated with exposure to elevated temperatures. Activity was positively correlated with temperature during winter (r = 0.60) and spring (r = 0.52) but negatively correlated during summer (r = –0.58) and autumn (r = –0.49), suggesting the existence of a thermoneutral zone where activity is maximised. We conclude that activity in captive wombats is influenced by environmental variables.

Microhabitat separation and diel activity patterns of Planigale gilesi and P. tenuirostris (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae).

1989 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
D.G. Read
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Diel Variations ◽  
Diel Activity Patterns ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Activity Cycles ◽  
Light Beams

Diel activity patterns and microhabitat use by the partially subterranean dasyurid marsupials Planigale gilesi and P. tenuirostris were studied in captivity. In the laboratory, a chamber was constructed that had a surface area and 'underground' cracks and cavities typical of the species' natural microhabitat. Infra-red light beams monitored the daily activity of individuals over 3 consecutive days under simulated photoperiods and temperatures typical of summer and winter. The larger species, P. gilesi, is more active than P. tenuirostris and, under summer conditions, is nocturnal; in winter it becomes more diurnal. Planigale tenuirostris is primarily nocturnal under summer and winter conditions. Both P. gilesi and P. tenuirostris exhibited short-term activity cycles that respectively, were: in summer 1 h 40 min and 1 h 25 min, and in winter 3 h 21 min and 2 h 56 min. Frequencies of activity bouts showed diel variations in P. gilesi but were constant in P. tenuirostris. Frequencies of rests showed diel variations in both species. Changes in total activity and in the proportion of surface-related activity are closely interrelated between P. gilesi and P. tenuirostris and may operate to reduce possible competitive interactions.

Observations on the behaviour of the Rufous Hare-wallaby, Lagorchestes hirsutus Gould (Macropodidae: Marsupialia) in captivity.

1993 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
G. Lundie-Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behaviour ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Social Organisation ◽  
Body Postures ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Nesting Habits ◽  
Behavioural Repertoire

Observations on the behaviour of the Rufous Hare-wallaby Lagorchestes hirsutus were obtained from a captive colony maintained in Alice Springs. This information was used to interpret observations of animals made during field studies in the Tanami Desert. Aspects of the species' behavioural repertoire which were recorded included activity patterns, postures, gaits, interactions, nesting habits and vocalisations. Lagorchestes hirsutus is predominantly nocturnal and its activity patterns and body postures resemble those recorded for other species of small macropods. It appears to be a relatively solitary animal but there was some evidence of social organisation within animals maintained in captivity. Aspects of the sexual and aggressive behaviour of L. hirsutus appear to resemble more closely those of the potoroids than of larger macropodids.

scholarly journals Influence of season and weather on activity patterns of the numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) in captivity

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 475 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Cooper ◽  
P. C. Withers
Keyword(s):  
Food Availability ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Thermoregulatory Response ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Activity Duration ◽  
Study Activity ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Low Levels

To separate the influence of weather from predation pressure and food availability, and to aid in the interpretation of activity data for wild numbats, we examined the influence of season and weather on the activity of captive numbats. Unlike other Australian marsupials, numbats are exclusively diurnal, being active for an average of 21.2% of the 24 h day. However, in the present study, activity duration varied seasonally, with numbats being active for longer periods in summer (39–65% of the available daylight) than winter (17–59%). During winter, captive numbats were active for shorter periods than wild numbats (presumably because captive numbats don't have to forage for food); however, they did not cease activity in the middle of the day during summer (suggesting that the inactivity of wild numbats at midday during summer is a response to food availability rather than a thermoregulatory response). Captive numbats were more active in summer than in winter, which may reflect their summer breeding season. Environmental conditions significantly affected daily activity, with low levels of activity recorded on days of low light intensity and high relative humidity. The majority of numbat activity occurred at ambient temperatures below thermoneutrality (<30°C). The associated costs of thermoregulation for active numbats were calculated, from activity time, to be higher in winter (0.586 mL O2 g–1 h–1) than in summer (0.274 mL O2�g–1�h–1).

Time and Space Sharing Between Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in Captivity.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
M.R. Hawkins
Keyword(s):  
Adult Male ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Light Cycle ◽  
Active Period ◽  
Dominant Animal ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Continuous Presence

Detailed video monitoring studies of the activity patterns of platypuses, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, given free access to a variable captive system were conducted. When alone, platypuses in captivity linked their activity to the nocturnal light cycle and followed a predictable pattern of activity. This was mostly confined to the dark photo-period and with long periods of continuous presence in the water. When individuals were paired a &apos;dominance&apos; relationship usually developed. The adult male was dominant over the females in all combinations. In the pairing of a sub-adult male and female, the female remained dominant and between two females there was little indication of dominance. The dominant animal&apos;s pattern of activity in the water remained similar to that when kept alone, except for a slight lengthening of its active period and spread of activity. The second animal&apos;s active period shortened and became more fragmented. The spread of its activity increased and the activity moved more into the high light periods when the dominant animal was not present. All the activity criteria examined could reflect different strategies for the separation of the activity- cycles changes to the length of the active period, leaving the tank when the other animal was present, increasing the spread of activity, extending activity into the &apos;daylight&apos; period. It was concluded that one reason behind the changes of activity pattern in paired platypuses was the desire for an un-interrupted feeding time.

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