Seasonal variation in the behavior of captive alpine musk deer, Moschus sifanicus, in Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm, of China

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Musk deer farming has the potential to be an effective conservation tool for the protection of musk deer as well as the production of valuable musk. To be successful, this requires a thorough understanding of the behavior of captive musk deer in order to improve their reproductive success and management. Between August 2005 to January 2006, the behavior sampling of 19 male and 13 female captive alpine musk deer, Moschus sifanicus Büchner, 1891, was used to examine the durations of twelve behavioral characteristics during the pre-rut (August to October) and rut seasons (November to January). Both males and females exhibited some seasonal variation in behavior. Males rested and fed more during the pre-rut than the rut and spent more time walking, fighting, and standing alert during the rut.Females spent more time feeding, ruminating, and interacting non-aggressively with other individuals during the prerut and more time in agonistic interactions during the rut. The significance of these behavioral changes and their association with husbandry practices and farm management are discussed.

Review of the Effects of Enclosure Complexity and Design on the Behaviour and Physiology of Zoo Animals

“…Daily, seasonal, or annual variations in the complexity of the environment do not mean bad situations for captive animals, as these variations will stimulate different behavioural and physiological states [ 96 , 97 , 98 ]. However, these changes can mean a decrease in animal welfare if caregivers do not offer the animals the possibility of choice.…”

Comparative Study on the Social Behavior of Sambar Deer (Rusa Unicolor) in Three Selected Captive Facilities in Peninsular Malaysia

“…It was the earliest recorded study on sambar deer behavior in Malaysia. The ethogram was further modified and adapted to current progress and understanding in the animal behavior field (Aun & Rahman, 1989;Semiadi et al, 1994;Semiadi et al, 1995;Lu et al, 2009;Xiaofeng et al, 2011;Powell et al, 2013;Razal et al, 2017;Arumugam & Buesching, 2019 Deer were observed in the enclosure divided into two-time slots in one day. The first slot begins at 0900hrs to 1200hrs (Morning), and the second slot begins at 1400hrs to 1700hrs (Afternoon), three hours of observation per slot total of six hours of observation per day.…”