Week 6

During this week, we went on a trip to Blackpool zoo in order to observe behaviours in animal. I did mine on Red Titi monkeys and spent to hours watching them and recording their behaviour.

I used 2 different types of recording methods, both of them for an hour each. The first was a continuous sampling method. To do this, I had to record everything the individual did, including the time it started and stopped and the amount of visitors were present at the time. Then, using the most common behaviours from the continuous sampling, I carried out instantaneous sampling. This is when I have a table with a list of behaviours at the top and at set intervals (I did every minute), I ticked either a behaviour, other or out of site. I found the instantaneous sampling a lot easier and a lot less stressful. This was due to the constant writing for continuous sampling in very little time and it got confusing very easily. For example, I had to record if they moved and what time that was, if they stopped and what time that was and if they moved again, what time that was. This could be in the space of a few seconds.

I watched a family of Red Titi monkeys. There were two parents and a child. I focused on the child but also watched how it interacted with the others and how the others behaviour effected the child. Whilst watching, I noticed in one incident that the father attacked the mother. I decided to do research as to why that was and found out that the young are raised primarily by the father and they only go to the mothers for milk. This was the current situation and the father got jealous.

Whilst watching them, I also noticed some behaviours which I weren’t expecting such as wood knowing and licking the ceiling. This could possibly be due to boredom as the enclosure wasn’t massive or maybe it was something as simple as scents.

I didn’t notice any repetitive behaviours or other indications that they were stressed. Although the enclosure wasn’t big, it wasn’t tiny and they did have an inside and an outside area. Both of these spaces were relatively cleaned suggesting they are maintained often and they have a lot of social interaction. However, on the day we went, it was raining and they all spent about 95% of their time indoors. This could explain boredom and the possible wood knowing and ceiling licking.

The individual seen in this picture is the one we observed. As you can see from the picture, the family had a lot of ropes and branches that they could play with and sit on. You are also able to tell how maintained it is.