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Play frequencies in captive and free‐ranging bighorn lambs ( Ovis canadensis canadensis )
Author(s) -
Bennett Beth,
Fewell Jennifer H.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/zoo.1430060306
Subject(s) - ovis canadensis , biology , ovis , zoology , adult male , ecology , demography , population , sociology , endocrinology
Behavioral observations on captive animals are frequently extrapolated to provide species‐typical descriptions of a given behavior. Comparative studies of free‐ranging and captive animals are critical to substantiate this practice. We compared play frequencies in two populations of bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis canadensis ). Play was significantly more common in the free‐ranging group than in zoo animals. Reasons for this difference are discussed.