Activity Rhythm of Captive Red Panda in Rainy Seasons

Activity rhythm of 19 captive red pandas(Ailnrus fulgens) was investigated by target sampling and instantaneous scan sampling from August to September 2008,in Yaojiaping Red Panda Breeding Base,Yunnan,China.The results showed that captive red pandas spent most of their time in resting(48%),followed by feeding(17%),moving(14%),and marking(10%).Other activities accounted for lower percentages.Resting activity took a highest percentage of captive red pandas in survey periods.There were two concentration periods of resting: 10:00-11:00 hrs,13:00-15:00 hrs.Moving activity was recorded mainly at 16:00 hrs and 19:00 hrs.Feeding activity peaks occurred at three periods: 9:00 hrs,11:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs.Marking activity happened more frequently at the periods of 9:00 hrs,16:00 hrs,19:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs.Grooming activity occurred mainly at the periods of 17:00-19:00 hrs,accounting for lower percentage of less than 10% in other periods.There were significant differences in time budgets among red panda of different ages.The older individuals spent higher percentages of time in resting activity(70%),higher than that of adult and young individuals.The young individuals spent more time in moving activity than adults.Adults showed higher percentages in grooming and marking activities than older and young individuals.