Seasonal Changes in Behavior and Exhibit Use of Captive African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) and Black Rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis)
Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: Despite living in the same habitat and sharing many physiologic characteristics, African elephants and black rhinoceroses are behaviorally very diverse.Each species therefore copes with the challenges of a captive environment in different ways.This study examined the behavior and exhibit use of three African elephants and three black rhinoceroses over a one-year period to determine how each species adapted its natural behavior to captivity in a northern climate.In both species, total time spent active was similar to that seen in the wild.Increased time housed indoors resulted in decreased investigatory behavior and increased abnormal behavior in elephants, and decreased locomotion in rhinos.Both species utilized all areas of the outdoor enclosures, but spent more time than expected near the Building and Door areas.Elephants also favored the Trees, while rhinos favored the Mud Wallow.Individual differences within each species were most prevalent in abnormal and social behaviors.
Author: Jenni E. Mueller
Institution: Case Western Reserve University
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2131181271