Experimental alterations of food distribution in two species of captive equids (Equus burchelliandE. hemionus kulan)

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Abstract
In one group each of Plains zebra (six mares, one foal, one subadult) and Asiatic wild asses (seven mares, two foals) at Nuremberg Zoo, food distribution was experimentally changed from clumped (all food in one standard hay rack) to dispersed (one heap per animal). Both groups were characterized by different social structures, which basically remained during the experiment. Plains zebras had an individually structured system of social relationships in a dominance order, wild asses a more egalitarian system without clear-cut rank differences and low frequencies of agonistic interactions. Access to food accordingly was individually (but consistently) different for zebra mares, almost equal for wild ass mares. During the dispersed feeding situation frequencies of agonistic interactions in both species decreased (however non-significantly), individual distances increased but mares also frequently “visited” each others' heaps. Feeding time increased for all wild ass mares. Some individuals (in both groups) behaved “against the trend” in agonistic behaviour. The results are discussed with regard to food distribution for ungulates in general, and equid social systems.