Behavioral Development Of Semi-free-ranging Giant Panda Cubs In Wolong National Nature Reserve

The instantaneous scanning sampling method and focus animal sampling method were used to study the behavior patterns of giant panda(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)cubs under semi-free-ranging conditions in the Hetaoping Wildlife Training Base of Wolong National Nature Reserve.From July 2017 to January 2019,a total of 181 days of giant panda behavior data was observed,the effective data of the closed-circuit surveillance video was 260.03 hours,and a total of 3885 behaviors were recorded.A total of 41 behaviors,10 postures,49 movements and 8 environmental variables were observed.Combining the behavior of giant pandas under semi-free-ranging conditions and video recording materials to define the behavior of giant pandas and build a PAE behavior ethogram.Exploring the behavioral connection or conflict between giant pandas and cubs.Exploring the behavior developmental changes of giant pandas under semi-free-ranging conditions.The main research results are as follows:1.The behavior development of giant panda cubs is divided into four stages.The first stage:from birth to 3 months old,the division is based on the fact that the cubs mainly depend on the mother,can only crawl in a small range,and can not take the initiative to suck and defecation.The second stage:from 4 to 6 months old,the division is based on the transition of the cub from crawling to walking behavior,can actively suck and defecate.The third stage:from 7 to 8 months old,the division is based on the cub's play and search behavior,the anilingus behavior disappears.The fourth stage:from 8 to 10 months old,the division is based on the cubs learn to eat bamboo,and various behaviors gradually stabilize.The time distribution of giant panda cub behavior in stages is different:The first stage is mainly resting(74.38%),playing(8.02%)and sucking(3.57%)behavior.The second stage is mainly resting(67.58%),playing(12.71%)and climbing(5.92%)behavior.The third stage is mainly resting(62.76%),walking(5.38%)and playing(7.86%)behavior.The fourth stage is mainly resting(48.27%),walking(15.14%)and playing(7.90%)behavior.2.Behavioral development of cubs:(1)Compared the first and second stage of Jinzhu cubs,the total time of resting(p=0.0453),feeding(p=0.0008),climbing(p=0.0055),anilingus(p=0.0167),feeding(p=0.0080)and searching(p=0.0039)were significantly different(p<0.05),and the average time of feeding(p=0.0080)and searching(p=0.0039)were significantly different(p<0.05).Compared the second and third stage of Jinzhu cubs,there were significant differences in the total time of resting(p=0.0099),sucking(p=0.0087),playing(p=0.0004),walking(p=0.0007),and anilingus(p=0.0002),and significant differences in the average time of anilingus(p=0.0002)and walking(p=0.0021).Compared the third and fourth stage of Jinzhu cubs,there was no significant difference in the total time of all behaviors,but there were significant differences in the average time of climbing(p=0.029)and resting(p=0.022).(2)Compared four months and five months of Qianqian cubs,there were significant differences in the total time of communication(p=0.0007),anilingus(p=0.0291),climbing(p=0.0012),feeding(p=0.0265),searching(p=0.0023)and resting(p=0.0384),and significant differences in the average time of anilingus(p=0.0291),climbing(p=0.0047)and searching(p=0.0040).(3)Compared two months and three months of Zhangka cubs,there were significant differences in the total time of walking(p=0.0103)and playing(p=0.0011),and there were significant differences in the average time of walking(p=0.0103)and playing(p=0.0030).Compared three months and four months of Zhangka cubs,there was no significant difference between the total time and the average time of each behavior.3.Behavioral correlation in different stages of cubs:the resting,communication and feeding behavior of Jinzhu cubs were significantly negatively correlated with time.The resting,communication,anilingus,feeding and searching behavior of Qianqian were significantly negatively correlated with time,and climbing behavior was significantly positively correlated with time.The walking and playing behavior of Zhangka cubs were significantly positively correlated with time.This study is the first to classify and encode the behavior of semi-free-ranging giant pandas in detail,establish a more complete behavioral ethogram of giant pandas in the semi-free-ranging condition,and explore the behavioral development changes of giant panda cubs in semi-free-ranging,provide a reference for the subsequent wild giant panda training project.