Inclusive Enrichment for Dragons: Behavioral Responses of Amputee and Non-Amputee Individuals of Bearded Dragons Pogona vitticeps to Different Food Enrichment Items

Author:

Pereira Luisa Martins1,de Azevedo Cristiano Schetini2ORCID,Colbachini Helen3ORCID,Cipreste Cynthia Fernandes45,Pizzutto Maria Eduarda Schilbach6,Reisfeld Laura Chrispim7,Gutierrez Rafael Capriolli7ORCID,Padilha Fabiana Lúcia André7ORCID,Pizzutto Cristiane Schilbach1578ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil

2. Departament of Biodiversity, Evolution and Environment, Exact and Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto 35402-136, MG, Brazil

3. Department of Economy, Admnistration and Sociology, Luiz de Queiroz Superior School of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil

4. Belo Horizonte Zoo, Belo Horizonte 31365-450, MG, Brazil

5. Welfare Connections, Best Practices in Animal Husbandry and Welfare, Nova Lima 34006-089, MG, Brazil

6. Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão, trav. 14, nº 321, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-090, SP, Brazil

7. São Paulo Aquarium, São Paulo 04275-000, SP, Brazil

8. Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05585-000, SP, Brazil

Abstract

Studies on environmental enrichment for captive bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) are still very scarce in the literature, but they are of the utmost importance in the search for quality of life for these animals when they are under human care. Environmental enrichment items should be inclusive, allowing disabled animals to explore them and providing good experiences. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate food enrichment strategies to increase the foraging behavior of captive non-disabled and disabled bearded dragons. This work was carried out with six adult bearded dragons, three of which had one limb amputated and three that had all limbs, kept at the São Paulo Aquarium. Live kingworm larvae (Zophobas morio) were offered as food in three different levels of enrichment challenge (low, medium, high). Behavioral data were collected using focal sampling with instantaneous recording, with a time interval of every 30 s. Results showed that the more complex the food enrichment challenge, the greater the frequency of bearded dragon foraging. In addition, both amputees and non-amputees responded similarly to the enrichment items, differing primarily in their activity levels, where amputee individuals showed more tendencies toward ‘stationary’ and ‘lying down’ behaviors. More studies with reptiles should be encouraged so that good management practices become daily protocols for a better quality of life and for rescuing the natural behaviors of animals kept under human care, even those with anatomical disabilities.

Publisher

MDPI AG

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