Single- or Pair-Housed: Which Is Better for Captive Southern Tamanduas?

Abstract

The captive environment can limit some important behavioral options for nonhuman animals, which often results in decreased welfare. The companion of a conspecific can be a source of complexity in captivity, but this aspect has received little attention for solitary species. This study investigated the effects of two different housing conditions on the behavior of a solitary species, the Southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla). Six individuals housed singly and four housed in pairs in two Brazilian zoological institutions were observed for 10 days from 09:00h to 17:00h during the rainy season. Each individual was observed for 26:40 hours. Compared with singly housed tamanduas, paired animals were less inactive (single = 74.62 ± 5.2%, paired = 28.51 ± 0.04% of the records), foraged and explored more (single = 11.07 ± 3.0%, paired 31.48 ± 0.01% of the records), and exhibited a diversity of behaviors 102.56% greater than single tamanduas. These results suggest that interactions with conspecifics in captivity, even for solitary animals, can promote the performance of desirable behaviors, which in several species has been correlated with improved welfare.

Estudo do Comportamento Reprodutivo do Gato-palheiro, Leopardus colocola (Molina, 1782) (Carnivora: Felidae) em Ambiente Cativo

“…Felinos neotropicais, em geral, são solitários e interagem com outros indivíduos somente no período reprodutivo ou quando jovens (Oliveira, 1994). Entretanto, já foi relatado que a manutenção em cativeiro de espécies de mamíferos solitários pode ser benéfica quando mantidos com coespecíficos (Catapani et al, 2018). Independente da estratégia adotada, a boa qualidade do recinto e manejo são essenciais para a manutenção do bem-estar dos animais quando em cativeiro.…”

Period of the day and food-based enrichment affect behaviour activity of <em>Tamandua tetradactyla</em> in captivity?

“…Interactions between T. tetradactyla individuals were recorded in almost 9% of all the observed behaviours. One of the interaction activities observed involved one individual holding onto the back of another individual, an action that may be related to the age of the animal concerned (three months), and its possible need for activities approximating to maternal interaction (Catapani et al 2019). This interaction was usually accompanied by a vocalization that was performed by the same infant.…”

“…For the observation sessions, pairs of individuals were kept together in two enclosures of 2.72 m x 2.40 m x 3.94 m, allowing the animals to interact with each other. We worked in pairs and the type of food sources were changed daily to create opportunities for social interactions and to mitigate the effects of space restrictions, and thus enhance welfare for this species (Catapani et al 2019). Animals were fed every morning (06:00-07:00) with a mixture of ripe fruits (oranges, papaya, and banana) and eggs.…”

“…Alimentary enrichment, for instance, changes how food sources are presented to animals, as well as providing food items that are similar to what would be found in natural habitats (Newberry 1995). Such activities provide physical and psychological improvements to animal welfare (Catapani et al 2019). For example, responses to environmental enrichment improved the welfare and intensified the active behaviours of zoohoused lesser anteaters through adrenocortical activity (Eguizábal et al 2013).…”

Report of three non-agonistic encounters of free-living giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

“…However, classifying if the female is caring for a cub because males can kill the cub to try to copulate with the female). According to Catapani et al (2018), keeping lesser anteaters pair-housed, even though they are a solitary species, promotes better animal welfare than the solitary condition.…”