Abstract

PARRA-HERRA, Juan Pablo  and  ESTRADA-CELY, Gloria Elena. Behavioral patterns of the squirrel monkey (Saimirísciureus macrodon) captive with different environmental enrichment. Ces. Med. Vet. Zootec. [online]. 2011, vol.6, n.2, pp.30-43. ISSN 1900-9607.

The implications of captivity on animal behavior have been well documented, but few resources exist to alter its effect. This first experience, carried out at the Wildlife Foster Home of the Universidad de la Amazonía and Corpoamazonía, in Florencia, Caquetá, in addition to describing behavioral and activity patterns expressed by the captive squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus macrodon) in comparison with specimens in the wild, established mechanisms for conduct modulation, based on the use of environmental enrichments. Research conducted on a group of twelve specimens, in different stages of biological development and confined to an enclosure no larger than four square meters, found through the application of ethograms that the captive specimens' daily activities vary widely and that a great many stereotypes were evident at feeding times (morning hours). These behaviors were able to be modulated by environmental enrichments (EE). Results show the presence of significant differences in behavior and activity between captive specimens and those in the wild, as well as differences in weight ranges, body temperature and glucose levéis, being higher in captive specimens, which indicate that factors such as changes in diet and the stress of captivity are causing homeostatic imbalance of S. sciureus.

Keywords : Captivity; behavior; ethogram; foster home; squirrel monkey.

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