Studies On The Diurnal Behavior Of Semi-free Asiatic Wild Ass

The diurnal behavior of a semi—free population of Asiatic Wild Ass living in Huhhot Daqingshan Wild Animal Park ( 40°52′29.3″N ,111°37′10.5″E)was observed by means of ad libitum sampling, scan sampling, focal sampling and continuous recording methods from July 2006 to May 2007. The research included two parts. One part was on the diurnal behavior of the foal and the mare of the semi—free population. The other was on the diurnal time budget and activity rhythm of the semi—free population in four seasons. The main conclusions were as follows.With increase as the foal's age, various diurnal behaviors of the foal had a development process from simpleness to complexity and maturity in the end. The diurnal activity rhythm of the foal gradually corresponded to the diurnal activity rhythm of the population. The time budget of various diurnal behaviors existed obvious differences at different stages of behavioral development. The diurnal time budget and behavioral pattern of the foal gradually stabilized in 10-12 weeks after birth. The diurnal interacting behavior of mother-young of the mare haddifferent characteristics at different stages of the post partum. The diurnal activity rhythm of the mare gradually corresponded to the diurnal activity rhythm of the population. In addition to the diurnal standing and miscellaneous behavior, the time budget of various diurnal behaviors existed obvious differences at different stages of the post partum. The diurnal time budget and behavioral pattern of the mare gradually stabilized in 10-12 weeks after the post partum.The time budget of the diurnal feeding behavior and the social interaction existed no differences in different seasons. The time budget of the diurnal lying, standing, moving and miscellaneous behavior existed significant differences in different seasons. The semi-free Asiatic Wild Ass had obvious diurnal activity rhythm and presented movable pattern that the activity and rest altered. The breeding time of the Wild Animal Park had certain impacts on the diurnal activity rhythm of the semi-free Asiatic Wild Ass.It was the first time to research the diurnal behavior of the semi-free Asiatic Wild Ass comprehensively and systematically. By the observation of the diurnal behavior, we analyzed the rhythm of the diurnal behavioral development of the foal, the diurnal nursing behavior of the mare at different stages and the diurnal behavior of the semi—free population in the four seasons. We built up the diurnal behavior table of the semi-free Asiatic Wild Ass. We provided the elementary data for the protection, management, reasonable utilization of the Asiatic Wild Ass resources by the research.