Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to describe the main behaviors of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) expressed in a semi-intensive production system in Brazil. The behavioral activities of two groups of peccaries allocated in two paddocks were assessed, totaling 17 adult animals and eventual pups in different developmental stages. The animals were visually observed using the ad libitum sampling and scan sample methods during the adaptation and experimental phases, respectively. The animals were evaluated in the morning, afternoon, and at night. The behavioral activities observed by ad libitum sampling comprised feeding, pool contact, moving, staying inside the handling area, resting, mud bathing, mutual rubbing, rubbing, aggression, sexual behavior, copulation, foraging, breastfeeding, sleeping, territorial marking, interactions, birthing, gnawing, and other behaviors. All behaviors observed by the ad libitum sampling method were confirmed in the experimental period by scan sample, except for territorial marking and birthing. The effects of time of day were statistically significant (p <0.05) for eating, pool contact, movement, staying inside the handling area, resting, mud bathing and sleeping. These results contribute to the understanding of instinctive animal habits and to the development of nutritional, environmental and health management protocols that meet the requirements of peccaries.
Highlights
The zootechnical exploitation of unconventional species to meet growing animal protein demands is interesting and promising (Hoffman, 2016)
An ethogram was elaborated based on 19 peccary behaviors during the adaptation period obtained by the ad libitum sampling method (Table 1)
Staying inside handling area the The animals stay inside the management area to rest, feed or drink
Summary
The zootechnical exploitation of unconventional species to meet growing animal protein demands is interesting and promising (Hoffman, 2016). There is increasing interest of farmers in these species because of the high added value of their meat, which may represent a mechanism of biodiversity conservation. Unlike predatory hunting in Brazil, the production of peccary (Tayassu pecari, Link, 1975) offers new perspectives for the meat, skin and leather industries. The skin and leather used by foreign industries serve as a specific niche market for the production of luxury goods (Sowls, 1984; Fang et al, 2008). Peccary rearing may be a solution for the use of unproductive areas on rural properties, as this species can adapt to different environments (Fang et al, 2008)
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