Activity patterns and feeding behaviour of hyrax (Procavia capensis) in the Mountain Zebra National Park
Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie/South African Journal of Science and Technology
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Activity patterns and feeding behaviour of hyrax (Procavia capensis) in the Mountain Zebra National Park Aktiwiteitspatrone en voedingsgedrag van dassies (Procavia capensis) in die Bergkwagga Nasionale Park | |
| Creator | Fourie, L. J. Horak, I. G. Perrin, M. R. | |
| Description | The activity patterns of marked hyrax in the Mountain Zebra National Park were quantified by direct observations. Extended periods are spent on basking during winter (6,8 h) and summer (5,3 h) respectively. At least 80 % of each day is spent in an inactive phase. The more extended time spent on movement and time spent within refuges during summer (0,4 and 2,7 h), compared to winter (0,2 and 0,9 h), can possibly be interpreted in terms of behavioural thermoregulation. Distinct differences between the feeding behaviour of juveniles ( 6 months) and older hyrax were observed. Foraging of juveniles was limited to a distance of 40 m or less from refuges and took place under the surveilance of adults. Foraging of older hyrax frequently occurred for extended distances (up to 500 m) from refuges. These hyrax frequently visited riparian thickets. Foraging excursions of individual hyrax lasted for 0,5 - 8 h. The reported early and late afternoon group feeding sessions for hyrax older than 5 months could not be confirmed. Die aktiwiteitspatrone van dassies in die Bergkwagga Nasionale Park is d.m.v. direkte waarnemings van gemerkte dassies gekwantifiseer. Langdurigeperiodes word gedurende die winter (6,8 uur) en somer (5,3 uur) onderskeidelik aan sonbak bestee. Minstens 80 % van elke dag word in ’n onaktiewe fase deurgebring. Die groter tydsbesteding aan beweging en tyd wat binne skuilings gespandeer word gedurende die somer (0,4 en 2,7 ure), vergeleke met die winter (0,2 en 0,9 ure), kan moontlik in terme van gedragstermoregulering verklaar word. Duidelike verskille kom tussen die voedingsgedrag van jongelinge ( 6 maande) en ouer dassies voor. Eersgenoemde vreet slegs in die onmiddellike omgewing ( 40 m) van skuilings en onder die toesig van ouer dassies, terwyl ouer dassies soms tot 500 m van skuilings gaan eet. Hierdie dassies het dikwels oewerruigtes as weigebied benut. Indiwiduele voedingsekskursies het tussen 0,5 - 8 uur geduur. Die gerapporteerde vroegmôre- en laatmiddag-groepvoedingsessies kon nie gedurende hierdie studie (vir dassies ouer as 5 maande) bevestig word nie. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 1987-03-17 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/satnt.v6i3.955 | |
| Source | Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie; Vol 6, No 3 (1987); 118-122 Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie; Vol 6, No 3 (1987); 118-122 2222-4173 0254-3486 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://journals.satnt.aosis.co.za/index.php/satnt/article/view/955/1979
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