Evaluación de la conducta de los ocelotes (Leopardus pardalis) en cautiverio ante la presencia de hierba gatera (Nepeta cataria) como medio de enriquecimiento ambiental

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of Nepeta cataria (Nc) on the behavior of Leopardus pardalis in captivity as environmental enrichment. Three ocelots were subjected to two treatments of 11,520 minutes each: a treatment without Nepeta cataria (SN) and with Nepeta cataria (CN). An ethogram was made for each one, then using Petit's test the duration times of each activity and behavior were determined, finally they were analyzed individually and then compared. In the SN ethogram 13 indicators were observed as in the CN ethogram, however, in the latter 3 new indicators related to the Nc were generated, the response generated by these ocelots to the Nc stimulus is similar to that of domestic cats, since actions such as rubbing, rolling, licking, biting, resting and sitting near the Nc were observed, with an interaction time of 3-8 minutes and a period of indifference of 30 minutes or several hours. Also, indicators such as sitting (SEN) and sniffing (OLF) decreased (p<0.05) in their duration by 1.07% and 56.60%, respectively; the opposite case of drinking (BEB) and bathing (BAN) increased their duration (p<0.05) by 66.64% and 20%, the CAO indicator corresponding to stereotypy decreased by 44.06%, in contrast to the SN period. In conclusion, ocelots showed a positive response to Nc, because it promotes wildlife behavior patterns and decreases abnormal behaviors.