Stereotypies in polar bears
Abstract The spatial and temporal patterns of stereotypies in three captive polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) were analysed. There was considerable variation in the time budgets of the three animals: stereotypies made up 16.0%, 24.4 %, and 76.5 % of the observation time between 8.00 A.M. and 4.00 P.M....
| Published in: | Zoo Biology |
|---|---|
| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
1991
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430100209 https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fzoo.1430100209 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/zoo.1430100209 |
| Summary: | Abstract The spatial and temporal patterns of stereotypies in three captive polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) were analysed. There was considerable variation in the time budgets of the three animals: stereotypies made up 16.0%, 24.4 %, and 76.5 % of the observation time between 8.00 A.M. and 4.00 P.M. Stereotyped walking or swimming bouts were of significantly longer duration than variable walking or swimming bouts. Seventy‐five bouts of stereotyped walking were observed in detail to test the hypothesis that stereotypies can reduce arousal level. The bouts were composed of regular laps. At a given site, each lap consisted of a fixed number of steps, and there was little variation in the duration of a lap. In one individual the walking speed decreased significantly in the course of stereotyped walking bouts. Generally, however, stereotyped walking bouts were not preceded by high activity levels and followed by low activity levels. Stereotyped walking was regularly associated with yawning and tongue‐flicking. Qualitative observations suggest that polar bears remain attentive while stereotyping. It is hypothesized that stereotyped walking in polar bears does not originate from frustrated migratory activity, but from frustrated appetitive behavior. |
|---|