Giraffe diurnal recumbent behavior and habitat utilization in Katavi National Park, Tanzania
Giraffe diurnal recumbent behavior and habitat utilization in Katavi National Park, Tanzania
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坦桑尼亚卡塔维国家公园长颈鹿的昼间卧姿行为和栖息地利用
DOI：
10.1111/jzo.12825
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发表时间：
2020
影响因子：
2
通讯作者：
Idani G.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Saito M.;Idani G.
休息行为通过最大限度地减少能量消耗在动物的日常活动中发挥着重要作用。尽管这对于维持生命的其他行为状态可能同样重要，但尚未在长颈鹿（Giraffacamelopardalis）中得到充分研究。这项研究描述了自由放养的长颈鹿昼间躺卧行为的持续时间、频率和年龄-性别差异。此外，目前尚不清楚长颈鹿是否像许多其他动物一样利用阴凉或安全的区域进行白天的躺卧。因此，我们在本研究中也对此进行了调查。数据是在坦桑尼亚卡塔维国家公园收集的四个时间段内的数据。卧床发作的持续时间是根据 170 次发作计算得出的，卧床频率是通过跟踪 24 个人每人超过 10 小时来确定的。栖息地类型分为树木繁茂的草原或 miombo 林地，并根据 173.6 小时的观测分析栖息地偏好。我们发现四个年龄段以及成人性别之间的卧床持续时间没有显着差异。另一方面，小牛 (n=2) 比其他年龄组休息得更频繁，这可能是由于捕食风险或活动预算的差异。与成年女性相比，成年男性躺着的频率更高，可能是因为怀孕/哺乳期的女性难以采取这种姿势。我们还发现，长颈鹿主要利用米奥博林地进行白天的躺卧，这可能是因为高树木密度减少了热应激，而且它远离河流也降低了被捕食的风险。
Resting behaviors play an important role in animals’ daily activities by minimizing energy consumption. Although this may be equally important to other behavioral states for sustaining life, it has not been well studied in the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). This study characterized the bout duration, frequency, and age–sex class differences in diurnal recumbent behavior of free‐ranging giraffe. Additionally, it is currently unknown whether giraffe utilize shady or safe areas for diurnal recumbency, as many other animals do. Therefore, we also investigated this in the present study. Data were collected in Katavi National Park, Tanzania, during four time periods. The duration of recumbency bouts was calculated from 170 episodes, and the frequency of recumbency was determined by following 24 individuals for more than 10 h each. Habitat type was categorized into wooded grassland or miombo woodland, and habitat preference was analyzed based on 173.6 h of observations. We found no significant difference in the duration of recumbency bouts among the four age‐classes and between sexes in adults. On the other hand, calves (n= 2) rested more frequently than did other age‐groups, possibly due to differences in predation risk or activity budgets. Adult males had a higher frequency of recumbency compared to adult females, possibly because pregnant/nursing females were hindered in adopting this posture. We also found that giraffe primarily utilized the miombo woodland for daytime recumbency, likely because the high tree density reduces heat stress, and its seclusion from the river reduces predation risk.