Suckling behavior in captive plains zebra (Equus burchellii): sex differences in foal behavior.

摘要: We predicted that the proportion of suckling attempts rejected and terminated by mother would be greater for female foals than male foals, based on parent offspring conflict theory assumption throughout study, all zebra mothers were in good condition because captivity. presumed an increasing rate or a indicate decreasing effort to invest her offspring. observed captive plains zebras at Dvůr Kralove Zoo, Czech Republic. found probability successful tended (slope = 0.0016; Z 1.78; P 0.074) increase with age but decreased -0.0018; -2.51; 0.012) foals. The bouts -0.0077; -4.27; < 0.0001) not -0.0005; -0.34; 0.732). Our results between was less sex differences termination rejection could explained different behavior selective maternal investment. Finally, we revealed no significant effect herdmates behavior.