Behavior of neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in captivity / Comportamento da lontra neotropical, Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) (Carnivora, Mustelidae) em cativeiro

Abstract

The study of the behavior of the Lontra longicaudis was conducted from January to April 2010. The main objective was to determine the individual and social patterns of three otters in captivity, correlating the data with average temperatures. The methodology was based on random observations, the ad libitum method, and the focal animal method, during which the animals are observed thanks to standardized spreadsheets. The sampling effort was four hours daily, resulting in a total of 196 hours. Twenty-nine listed activities were divided into two categories and ten sub-categories. The adult couple showed a similar pattern of activities. The young female, however, showed a different pattern in the activities, compared with adult animals. There was no difference in activity for day and night. However, on days with lower average temperatures, some activities decreased significantly, such as swimming, diving and rolling in the sand, while resting activities increased.