Diurnal use of space by captive adult broad-snouted caiman ( Caiman latirostris): Implications for pen design

Crocodilians generally present low reproductive success in captivity. The reasons for this are still unclear, but the faulty design of reproductive facilities can be a cause of stress, injuries and social disruption. This study explored the use of space by captive adult broad-snouted caiman in order...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aquaculture 2006-02, Vol.251 (2), p.333-339
Main Authors: Verdade, Luciano M., Piña, Carlos I., Araújo, Janaina L.O.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amphibia. Reptilia
Animal aquaculture
Animal behavior
Animal productions
Animal reproduction
Aquaculture
Behavior
Biological and medical sciences
Caiman
Caiman farm
Caiman latirostris
Crocodiles
Crocodilian husbandry
diurnal variation
farmed fish
fish culture
fish farms
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
microhabitats
Pen-design
Space
spatial distribution
Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
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Summary:Crocodilians generally present low reproductive success in captivity. The reasons for this are still unclear, but the faulty design of reproductive facilities can be a cause of stress, injuries and social disruption. This study explored the use of space by captive adult broad-snouted caiman in order to improve pen design for farming species. Caimans showed a predominant use of the pool and its margin during daytime. Even in our small (9 × 10 m) pens, caimans used pools and their margins significantly more than areas farther removed from pools. This pattern suggests that caiman farmers should maximize pool area and perimeter in pen design.
ISSN:0044-8486
1873-5622
DOI:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2005.06.030