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Seasonal Changes in Behavior and Exhibit Use of Captive African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) and Black Rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis)

Mueller, Jenni Elizabeth

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Biology.
Despite living in the same habitat and sharing many physiologic characteristics, African elephants and black rhinoceroses are behaviorally very diverse. Each species therefore copes with the challenges of a captive environment in different ways. This study examined the behavior and exhibit use of three African elephants and three black rhinoceroses over a one-year period to determine how each species adapted its natural behavior to captivity in a northern climate. In both species, total time spent active was similar to that seen in the wild. Increased time housed indoors resulted in decreased investigatory behavior and increased abnormal behavior in elephants, and decreased locomotion in rhinos. Both species utilized all areas of the outdoor enclosures, but spent more time than expected near the Building and Door areas. Elephants also favored the Trees, while rhinos favored the Mud Wallow. Individual differences within each species were most prevalent in abnormal and social behaviors.
Julia Brown (Committee Chair)
Kristen Lukas, PhD (Advisor)
Mark Willis, PhD (Advisor)
Pam Dennis, PhD, DVM (Committee Member)
155 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mueller, J. E. (2008). Seasonal Changes in Behavior and Exhibit Use of Captive African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) and Black Rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) [Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1215524414

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mueller, Jenni. Seasonal Changes in Behavior and Exhibit Use of Captive African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) and Black Rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis). 2008. Case Western Reserve University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1215524414.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mueller, Jenni. "Seasonal Changes in Behavior and Exhibit Use of Captive African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) and Black Rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis)." Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1215524414

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)