Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

The autumn activity patterns and time budgets of Forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) in captivity

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Songwei Lin 1, 2, 3
Liquan Shen 1
Haoxiang Gao 1
Jiayi Wu 1
Qingxin Lv 1
Xin Zhou 1
Junsheng Li 2, 3
Xiuxiang Meng 1, 4, 5

1 School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China

2 Command Center for Comprehensive Survey of Natural Resources, China Geological Survey Bureau, Beijing, China

3 Institute of Ecology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China

4 College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa, China

5 School of Animal Science, Xichang University, Xichang, China

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2023.1978088.3703
Abstract
Activity patterns and time budgets play a crucial role in the successful farming and management of animals. In this study, the behavior patterns of 53 forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) were analyzed from October 2nd to 16th, 2021, throughout the day and night. The results showed a distinct dawn–dusk activity rhythm in the captive forest musk deer with a peak activity observed at dawn (07:00 - 10:00) and dusk (16:00 - 19:00). Additionally, there were smaller activity peaks lasting less than an hour during the nighttime (00:00 - 04:00). Comparing behavior ratios between peak and off-peak periods, it was evident that all behaviors, except rumination (RU), showed significant differences. Furthermore, no significant differences were found in the behavior ratios of the forest musk deer between the daytime and night-time. During the daytime, the percentages of time spent performing locomotion (32.87 ± 3.38%), feeding (14.43 ± 1.81%), and RU (5.62 ± 1.46%) were slightly higher compared to the night-time. Based on these findings, it is important to match the management strategies for musk deer farming with the animals' activity patterns and behavioral rhythms. Doing so can enhance farming outputs and contribute to the welfare of captive forest musk deer.

Keywords

Activity pattern
Activity peak
Captive
Moschus berezovskii
Time budget

Subjects

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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 14, Issue 11
November 2023
Pages 589-594

  • Receive Date 05 December 2022
  • Revise Date 06 February 2023
  • Accept Date 16 March 2023

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