| dc.description.abstract | This study aims to examine the activity patterns of small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus)
maintained at Rahmat Zoo and Park, Bengabing Village, Pegajahan, North Sumatra.
From a biological perspective, the study of daily activity provides important insights
into behavioral biology and supports conservation efforts by improving the
understanding of species adaptation under captive conditions. Observations are
conducted on a male and a female individual approximately one year old over a 14-day
period, from 08:00 to 16:00 WIB, using the focal animal sampling method with two
minute recording intervals. Activity data are classified into ten behavioral categories
and quantitatively analyzed by calculating the percentage frequency of each behavior,
which is then presented graphically. The results have shown that the dominant activities
of the male otter have been locomotion (36.32%) and resting (35.79%), whereas the
dominant activities of the female otters have been locomotion (34.72%) and resting
(36.85%). Other observed behaviors included vocalization, feeding, grooming, social
interaction, standing, alertness, elimination, territorial marking, begging, and mating,
all occurring at lower percentages. These findings demonstrated that the activities of
Aonyx cinereus in captivity have been largely dominated by locomotion and resting
behaviors and have been influenced by environmental factors and husbandry conditions.
This study has provided additional biological information to support management
practices and conservation strategies for small-clawed otters in conservation
institutions. | en_US |
