Activity Levels, Visibility, and Pacing of Captive Giant Anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla Amanda McFarlin, Southampton College, Southampton, NY, The purpose of this study was to observe and document the activity budget of two captive giant anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, with a focus on visibility and pacing. Casual observations made by animal care staff led to the hypotheses that the male anteater was less visible than the female, and that the male paced more frequently. Data were collected via videotape for six days, over a two-week period in July, 2003, on one male and one female anteater (three days per individual). Each tape was scored using instantaneous sampling at one-minute intervals. Overall and hourly averages of the percentage of time spent visible, active, and pacing over each animal’s three-day observation period were computed. Due to the small sample size, inferential statistics could not be used to analyze these data. However, the general trends indicated that visibility of the two animals was almost equal (male 90% and female 91%), and the male was less active (15% vs. 33%), and paced less frequently (3% vs. 11%) than the female anteater. Despite the lack of statistical significance, the results allowed for positive management changes to meet the needs of both the animals and park guests. The giant anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, is the largest of the four anteater species and can be found in a variety of natural habitats of Central and South America. Due to the solitary nature and large home ranges of the giant anteater, field studies at the population level have been limited and very little is known about their natural history (Hutchins, 2004). The giant anteater has been displayed in zoos dating as far back as the mid-1800s (Patzl et al., 1998), and as with any animal in captivity, there are both pros and cons to having them as part of a zoological collection. The large size and long list of unique species characteristics of giant anteaters would be considered advantages for exhibition, although they still pose many challenges as exhibit animals. Shaw et al. (1987) found that these animals can spend over 10 hours of the day sleeping and that the activity levels of free-living giant anteaters in a Brazilian national park peaked at a time when most zoological parks are closed to visitors. Additionally, pacing is a type of stereotypic behavior found in some captive animals, and the reduction of such stereotypies is an animal welfare goal of zoological parks nation-wide. Overall results show that both animals spent approximately the same amount of time visible (male 90% vs. female 91%), the male was less active (15% vs. 33%), and the male paced less frequently (3% vs. 11%) than the female anteater. Although results appear to contradict the initial hypotheses, statistical significance of the results cannot be stated due to the limited sample size (n=2) and short time period (3 days per individual). The hourly averages for each behavior over the entire observation period show trends in visibility, activity, and pacing that are not apparent in the overall averages: The female was never completely visible for more than 15% of any given hour. The male was completely inactive after 1400h, except for 7% between 1700h and 1800h. The male did not pace after 1300h and the female did not pace before 1100h. Even though both individuals spent an average of 90% of the time visible, less than 35% of that visibility consisted of a full view of the animal, falling well below the goal of 80% full visibility for all animals set by Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Taking into account the fact that wild giant anteaters can sleep over 10 hours a day, the research and behavioral husbandry teams, along with zoological managers decided that attempting to drastically increase anteater activity levels was not in the animals’ best interest. One idea being tested is to create specialized sleeping areas, encompassing the preferences of each individual, that would provide guests a better vantage point to view the anteaters. Giant anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla. According to the study ethogram, this animal would be scored as active and fully visible. Three-day averages of the percentage of time spent fully visible, partially visible, and not visible: male vs. female giant anteater. Three-day averages and standard deviations of the percentage of time spent active, as a percentage of total visible scans: male vs. female giant anteater. Three-day averages and standard deviations of the percentage of time spent pacing, as a percentage of total active scans: male vs. female giant anteater. Sleeping giant anteater. According to the study ethogram, this animal would be scored as inactive and fully visible. Hutchins, M. (Ed.) (2004), Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia (p ). New York: Gale, Inc. Patzl, M., F. Schwarzenberger, C. Osmann, E. Bamberg, and W. Bartmann Monitoring ovarian cycle and pregnancy in the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) by faecal progestagen and oestrogen analysis. Animal Reproduction Science. 53, Shaw, J.H., J. Machado-Nato, and T.S. Carter Behavior of free-living giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). Biotropia. 19(3), Abstract Figure 1. Introduction Conclusions References Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 5.