Observations of behavioral development on common Porcupines (Hystrix brachyura) undergoing domestication

Abstract

Common porcupine (Hystrix brachyura) is one of the protected mammals in Indonesia. The existence of this species is threatened due to habitat destruction and uncontrolled poaching. In order to maintain the sustainability of porcupine from extinction, the rescue is through captive breeding (ex situ conservation). The process of domestication of porcupine begins with observing the development of its behavior, making it easier to manage in captivity. The aim of the study was to determine the development of porcupine behavior related to the domestication process in captivity. The materials used were four porcupines (two males and two females) around 18 months old and a female porcupine and a young. Each pair of porcupines is placed inside an individual cage (3.9 m long, 2.1 m wide, and 2.6 m high), which has been equipped with a place to feed and drink. The parameters observed were eating and drinking activities, locomotion, resting, eliminative (urinating and defecating), grooming, and agonistic. Whereas the female porcupine and a young observed maternal porcupine care for the young. The observation method is based on one-zero sampling. Observations began at 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. with a time interval of 15 minutes. The results showed that daily activity of porcupines included 52.01% resting, 19.95% locomotion, 12.73% grooming, 10.05% feeding, 2.95% agonistic, 1.74% urinating, 0.39% drinking, and 0.18% defecating. Porcupine parental activity in the lactation period is breastfeeding (49.26%), cleansing the young's body (36.16%), teaching grooming (5.71%), teaching opening the cage door (4.10%), teaching meal (2.89%), and agonistic (1.88%).