Effects of feeding schedule on locomotor activity rhythms and stress response in sea bream
Feeding cycles entrain biological rhythms, which enable animals to anticipate feeding times and so maximize food utilization and welfare. In this article, the effect of mealtime was investigated in two groups of sea bream (Sparus aurata): one group received a single daily meal at random times during the light period (random daytime feeding, RDF), whereas […]
Searching for behavioral indicators of welfare in zoos: Uncovering anticipatory behavior
A current focus of zoo-based research aims to identify indicators of animal welfare. Reliable behavioral indicators of welfare are highly desirable as behavioral observation is non invasive and requires little in the way of specialized equipment and other costly resources—save for observer time. Anticipatory behavior is an indicator of an animal’s sensitivity to reward and […]