Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Several studies have been made about different animal’s juvenile care. It is important to have knowledge and understand the juvenile period of animals in captivity. From studies of juvenile and maternal care improvements of their management can be made. Detection of abnormalities can be found in newborn or mother to help with breeding programs. Despite that there is little to no research on the juvenile period of the Pallas cat. The aim of this study was to get more knowledge about Pallas cats juvenile period and care, to observe the developmental stages from when kittens are born to seven weeks of age and to fill the current knowledge gaps. This is one of the few studies that focuses on the juvenile care of the Pallas cat. In this study, one female Pallas cat and her litter of three male kittens from Nordens ark zoo, Sweden, was observed in their two dens from when the cubs were born to seven weeks of age. Observations was made using videorecording on a sample of seven days. Results show that during the first three weeks of age, lactation times was the highest, suckle duration increased and the female left the den the least amount of times. During the age five to seven weeks the biggest change for female and kittens happened. Frequency of lactation decreased with still high suckling duration. The female left the den more often and for longer periods. The kittens started to leave the den and play. Solid food carried to the den was not observed, but the study showed that the female carries kitten out and back. This study showed that behaviors change during the juvenile period as kittens grow and forms a background for future studies. To better understand Pallas cat’s juvenile period and care more studies is needed with more litters and observing outside activity.