Glucocorticoid Production, Activity Levels, And Personality Traits Of Fennec Foxes (Vulpes zerda) Managed For Different Roles In Zoos

Glucocorticoid Production, Activity Levels, And Personality Traits Of Fennec Foxes (Vulpes zerda) Managed For Different Roles In Zoos

Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations, activity, and personality were assessed for 35 fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda) to determine whether animals managed as ambassadors differed from exhibit or off-exhibit animals. A FGM assay, pedometer, and personality assessment tool were validated. T...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied animal welfare science Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 420 - 437
Main Authors: Kozlowski, Corinne P., Bauman, Karen L., Franklin, Ashley D., Sahrmann, John M., Gartner, Marieke, Baskir, Eli, Hanna, Sheri, LaMattina, Kathleen, Seyfried, Alice, Powell, David M.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Taylor & Francis 03-07-2023
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects:
Ambassador animals
Animals
Circadian rhythm
Circadian rhythms
cortisol metabolites
Diplomatic & consular services
Feces
Foxes
Glucocorticoids
Handling
Metabolites
pedometer
Personality
Personality traits
Statistical models
temperament
Vulpes zerda
Winter
pedometer
Ambassador animals
cortisol metabolites
circadian rhythm
temperament
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Summary:Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations, activity, and personality were assessed for 35 fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda) to determine whether animals managed as ambassadors differed from exhibit or off-exhibit animals. A FGM assay, pedometer, and personality assessment tool were validated. Then, fecal samples and movement data were collected during winter and summer periods. Handling was recorded, and the personality of each fox was evaluated. Generalized linear mixed models assessed the relationships between FGM concentrations, activity, personality, handling, sex, season, rearing type, and role. FGM concentrations did not differ in relation to role or handling. Foxes were most active at night; the time of peak activity did not vary with role or handling. Foxes were more active in winter; males were more active than females, and ambassador foxes were more active than off-exhibit animals. Hand-reared foxes were more sociable, and, at one institution, ambassador foxes were more sociable than foxes in other roles. These results suggest that management for ambassador programs is not associated with changes in glucocorticoid production or circadian patterns but may increase activity and be associated with greater sociability.
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ISSN:1088-8705
1532-7604
DOI:10.1080/10888705.2021.1980725