Examining the behavioral ontogeny in captive white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

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Additional Information

More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

Examining the behavioral ontogeny in captive white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar)

Name: Kathryn McKinnon
Major: Biology
Hometown: Kenosha, WI
Faculty Sponsor: Angela Dassow
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Independent research
Funding: University of Wisconsin-Madison and Carthage College

Abstract

The gestural behavior in captive white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) is relatively unknown. Through activity budgets, researchers are able to gain insight into how gibbon pairs behave in captivity. This study focuses on the role of ontogeny on behavioral dynamics of the gibbons housed at the Racine Zoo between 2012-2019. Additionally, behavioral dynamics between gibbons housed at the Racine Zoo and at the Henry Vilas Zoo in 2012 were examined. From August 2012–2013, the Racine Zoo and Henry Vilas Zoo gibbons were video-recorded. The Racine Zoo gibbons were again video-recorded from May–July 2019. Thirty-two behavioral activities were coded across four main categories (locomotion, foraging, prosocial, and agonistic). A 1/0 ethogram coded for the presence/absence of each behavior using one-minute increments to create activity budgets. The 2012 Racine gibbons showed more teeth baring and chasing compared to the Henry Vilas gibbons which did not exhibit either behavior. The 2019 Racine gibbons showed more teeth baring and biting than they did in 2012. It is hypothesized that this increase in aggression is due to senescence. Activity budgets are beneficial for helping zookeepers select age appropriate behavioral enrichment activities as the gibbons’ behaviors change over time. Future research on the ontogeny of behaviors with the Henry Vilas Zoo gibbons is still needed.