Authors : Luan Xiaofeng, Zhao Changjie and Meng Xiuxiang
Abstract: Against a background of poor breeding success in captive alpine musk deer, an understanding of the behavioral differences between captive female alpine musk deer with and without reproduction success in previous year may yield useful information for musk deer farming practice. This study was conducted in the musk deer farm of Xinglongshan National Nature Reserve, Gansu province of China from June 2004 to January 2005. The focal sampling and all occurrence recording was used to observe the behaviors of 38 female alpine musk deer (Moschus sifanicus) in which 5 were barren in previous year and 33 females were bred in previous year. The durations of 12 behaviors such as environment-sniffing, etc. were recorded and the behavioral patterns were compared to explore the differences. The results showed that compared to females barren in previous year, the females bred in previous year was more active, pugnacious and explorative in mating season and expressed less self-directed behavior during non-mating season. The data from the present study should contribute to a better understanding of behavioral differences between females with different reproduction success.
Luan Xiaofeng, Zhao Changjie and Meng Xiuxiang, 2011. Behavioral Differences Between Captive Female Alpine Musk Deer with Different Reproduction Success in Previous Year. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 733-737.