Biological and environmental factors as sources of variation in nocturnal behavior of giraffe

Abstract

Upon a drastic decline of the giraffe population in the wild, conservation efforts and therefore the role of zoos have become more important than ever. With their unique opportunities, zoos provide excellent conditions to study animal behavior, expanding the knowledge about the giraffe's behavior repertoire and their ability to adapt. This study therefore examined the nocturnal behavior of 63 giraffe living in 13 different EAZA zoos across Germany and the Netherlands. Giraffe were observed and videos recorded via infrared sensitive cameras during the winter seasons 2015–2018. The observation period spanned nightly from 17:00 to 7:00. Thus, 198 nights, with a total of 2772 h were recorded and analyzed. Linear mixed models were then used to assess potential biological and environmental factors influencing behavior during the dark phase. Results show that individual variables such as age, subspecies and motherhood determined nocturnal activity and sleep behavior most. Among the variables studied, husbandry conditions and environmental factors complying with EAZA standards had no influence on the giraffe's nocturnal behavior. By combining nocturnal activity analyses and an assessment of potential influencing factors, our findings present a holistic approach to a better understanding of captive giraffe behavior and allow for management implications.

The influence of feeding opportunities of six zoohoused Giraffa camelopardalis rothschild

“…During the two observation periods, the average time consumption of "paradoxal sleep" (2.35%-2.65%) and "feeding" (29.61%-30.11%) which correlates with the nocturnal behaviour study by Burger et al (2021) who found 2% and 27%, respectively. Notably less time spent on "locomotion" and "standing still" in this study when compared Burger et al (2021) in which 39 individual Rothschilds giraffes were observed. However, those two behaviours were more equal to the time budgets for the reticulated giraffes examined by Burger et al (2021).…”

“…Notably less time spent on "locomotion" and "standing still" in this study when compared Burger et al (2021) in which 39 individual Rothschilds giraffes were observed. However, those two behaviours were more equal to the time budgets for the reticulated giraffes examined by Burger et al (2021). The observed differences are thought to be derived from age, environmental and social factors (Sicks, 2012;Appendix D).…”

BOVIDS: A deep learning‐based software package for pose estimation to evaluate nightly behavior and its application to common elands (Tragelaphus oryx) in zoos

“…This effect was also observed in the common elands in this study, where the extent of LHD differs between the three age classes—young, subadults, and adults. A study on Giraffes ( Giraffa camelopardalis ) also shows that age and sex have an influence on the behavior Standing, while only age has an influence on REM sleep (Burger et al, 2021). The study by Burger et al (2021) further reveals that housing conditions can be discarded as an influencing factor for both behaviors.…”

“…A study on Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) also shows that age and sex have an influence on the behavior Standing, while only age has an influence on REM sleep (Burger et al, 2021). The study by Burger et al (2021) further reveals that housing conditions can be discarded an influencing factor for both behaviors.…”

Diurnal and Nocturnal Behaviour of Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and Lions (Panthera leo) in Zoos

“…In order to avoid misleading interpretation of observed behaviour patterns and rhythms and to study the influence of anthropogenic as well as individual biological factors on behaviour, the species-specific rhythm must be known first [ 30 , 82 ]. These 24-h activity budgets have to be based on continuous recordings around the clock and a second-by-second analysis [ 83 ].…”