Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

5-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Experimental Psychology

First Advisor

Claudia Martinez

Second Advisor

Mario Gil

Third Advisor

Perry Fuchs

Abstract

This study examined activity patterns and potential welfare indicators in captive black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) using behavioral monitoring techniques. A monogamous pair housed indoors at Gladys Porter Zoo was observed using focal sampling methods, and a species specific ethogram was developed to systematically record behavior. A total of 1,750 minutes of data were collected over one year. Observed behaviors were categorized into five groups: affiliative, agonistic, stationary, locomotion, and stereotypic behaviors. Activity budgets were calculated to determine the proportion of time allocated to each behavioral category. Results indicated that affiliative behaviors, particularly physical contact, dominated the activity budget, while agonistic, locomotor, and stereotypic behaviors occurred at low frequencies. While high levels of affiliation may suggest strong social bonding, the low levels of locomotion raise important questions regarding environmental stimulation and enclosure design. These findings highlight the value of species-specific ethograms and behavioral monitoring as tools for assessing welfare in captive primates. Future research should incorporate larger sample sizes and more consistent observation schedules to better evaluate behavioral variability and welfare outcomes.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Ramiro Gomez III. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3371129013

Download

Share

COinS