Behavioral activities of white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari, Link, 1795) in a semi-intensive farming system in Brazil

ABSTRACT This study aimed to describe the main behaviors of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) expressed in a semi-intensive production system in Brazil. The behavioral activities of two groups of peccaries allocated in two paddocks were assessed, totaling 17 adult animals and eventual pups in different developmental stages. The animals were visually observed using the ad libitum sampling and scan sample methods during the adaptation and experimental phases, respectively. The animals were evaluated in the morning, afternoon, and at night. The behavioral activities observed by ad libitum sampling comprised feeding, pool contact, moving, staying inside the handling area, resting, mud bathing, mutual rubbing, rubbing, aggression, sexual behavior, copulation, foraging, breastfeeding, sleeping, territorial marking, interactions, birthing, gnawing, and other behaviors. All behaviors observed by the ad libitum sampling method were confirmed in the experimental period by scan sample, except for territorial marking and birthing. The effects of time of day were statistically significant (p <0.05) for eating, pool contact, movement, staying inside the handling area, resting, mud bathing and sleeping. These results contribute to the understanding of instinctive animal habits and to the development of nutritional, environmental and health management protocols that meet the requirements of peccaries.

摘要
本研究旨在描述巴西半集约化生产系统（semi-intensive production system）中白唇西貒（Tayassu pecari）的主要行为表现。研究对两个围场饲养的两群西貒开展行为活动评估，共计包含17头成年个体及不同发育阶段的幼崽。分别在适应期与实验期，采用任意取样法（ad libitum sampling）与扫描取样法（scan sample）对受试动物进行目视观察。观察时段覆盖上午、下午与夜间。任意取样法记录的行为活动包括取食、水池接触、移动、滞留于操作区、休息、泥浴、相互摩擦、蹭擦、攻击行为、性行为、交配、觅食、哺乳、睡眠、领地标记、互动、分娩、啃咬及其他行为。除领地标记与分娩行为外，任意取样法记录的所有行为均在实验期通过扫描取样法得到验证。时段因素对取食、水池接触、移动、滞留操作区、休息、泥浴及睡眠行为均具有统计学显著性影响（p<0.05）。本研究结果有助于深化对西貒本能习性的认知，可为契合其生存需求的营养、环境与健康管理方案的制定提供科学参考。