Behavioral diversity of captive alpine musk deer in Xinglongshan musk deer farm

摘要

A variety of sampling techniques were used to measure the behavioral diversity of captive alpine musk deer Moschus sifanicus in the Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm. Results indicate that animals held in larger enclosures, with an enriched environment, exhibited significantly high levels of behavioral diversity. Behavioral diversity of female musk deer was lower than that measured for males, and declined with time spent in captivity. There were no seasonal effects upon measures of behavior, although sexually active females exhibited higher scores for behavioral diversity. The behavior of deer captured in the wild was significantly high diverse than for animals bred in captivity [ Acta Zoologica Sinica 52(6): 1026 –1033, 2006].