Comportamentos e atividade diária de Sciurus ingrami (Thomas) em cativeiro (Rodentia, Sciuridae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. BEHAV IOUR ANO OIARV ACTlVITV 01' SCIUIIUS ISGRAAI/ (THOMAS) lN CAPTIVITV (ROOENTIA, SCIURIDAE). Frorn October 1994 to Novcmber 1995 the behaviour, postures and diurnal activity of tive captive squilTels Scillrlls illgromi were observed and registered. Four basics postures, tive grooming behaviours, displacements and face wiping behaviour were identified. Based on behavioural observations, the diurnal activity was divided into four categories: resting, disp!acement, feed ing and maintenance. The time spent in each category varied seasonaJ\y and the sq uirrels spent more time resting during winter and spring. However, more time was spent feeding during autum and summe r and was reduced the displacement in autum. Two types of breeding behaviour were identilied: sex ual trailing and mating chase of females by males. However copulatori behaviollr was not recorded during the studied period. We also verified that S. illgromi prescnts thenn orregulati on behaviour during winter, remaining resting in the nest to conserve energy in heath maintenance. During the hottest seasons, the squirrels remain resting out of the nest. placed on the branchs to decrease their body heat to normal tcmpcrature. The behaviours observed in thi s study were similar to those dcscribed in the literatllre. as well as the mating behaviour, which was vely similar to S. (HORW ICI-I 1972).

Behavior and foraging technique of the Ingram's squirrel Guerlinguetus ingrami (Sciuridae: Rodentia) in an Araucaria moist forest fragment

“…3) and "suspended" (Fig. 4) positions were also documented by other authors (BORDIGNON et al 1996, BORDIGNON & MONTEIRO-FILHO 1997, RIBEIRO et al 2009). …”

“…2) differed from the reports in the literature. BORDIGNON & MONTEIRO-FILHO (1997) found that when in the "sitting" position the anteroposterior axis of the animal stayed close to 45° relative to the substrate, but in our study an angle of approximately 20° was observed, and it rarely reached 30°. Given While sitting with the four limbs on the ground, the squirrel moves one posterior limb to the head and turns the head to the side, approaching the area to be scratched by the hind limb.…”

“…that the authors studied captive animals (BORDIGNON & MONTEIRO-FILHO 1997), the difference in angle may occur because of the predation risk that wild animals face. In this case, maintaining the body closer to the substrate may reduce the chance of being detected by potential predators.…”