Relationship between estrus cycles and behavioral durations of captive female alpine musk deer

Abstract

Owing to poor breeding success in captive alpine musk deer, an understanding of the behavioral patterns of musk deer in captivity is important. This study was conducted from June 2004 to January 2005 at the Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm, which is located within Xinglongshan National Nature Reserve, Gansu Province, China. Focal sampling and continuous recording were used to observe the behaviors of 51 female alpine musk deer (Moschus sifanicus), 42 of which had completed a single estrus cycle and nine of which had completed two or more estrus cycles. All animals were adults that had been born and raised in captivity. The durations of 12 behaviors, including environmental sniffing, moving and feeding, were recorded during the non-breeding seasons and behavioral patterns were compared. The behavioral patterns of females that had completed a single estrus cycle and females that had completed multiple estrus cycles were compared to assess potential behavioral differences. The results showed that females who had only one complete estrus cycle demonstrated more resting behavior, but less feeding and locomotor behavior than females who had completed multiple estrus cycles. Furthermore, single estrus cycle females demonstrated tail-rubbing during the breeding season. The results may yield useful information that can be used in developing better musk deer farming practices.