Maned wolf heart rate research at the Smithsonian

Crowthorne

Crowthorne

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As part of a study looking at heart rate and stress levels in Maned Wolves, 6 individuals (3.3) at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute were implanted with a small subcutaneous heart rate monitor. These recorded heart rate, which could be compared to external stressors. Maned Wolves, as most animals, can often hide stress behaviour well, but their heart rates were found to be a good indicator of stress levels in the animals, including positive stress (mate socialising or play), and negative stress (loud noises, visitors etc). One male wolf was found to have elevated heart rate whilst living with his mate and pups, indicating increased stress levels; when he was moved to his own enclosure, his heart rate and stress levels went down.

Following on from this research, the Rhythm of Life project hopes to move onto a similar study in wild Maned Wolves, as well as 8 Scimitar Horned Oryx.

What the Rhythm of a Maned Wolf's Heart Reveals
 
Crowthorne said:
As part of a study looking at heart rate and stress levels in Maned Wolves, 6 individuals (3.3) at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute were implanted with a small subcutaneous heart rate monitor. These recorded heart rate, which could be compared to external stressors. Maned Wolves, as most animals, can often hide stress behaviour well, but their heart rates were found to be a good indicator of stress levels in the animals, including positive stress (mate socialising or play), and negative stress (loud noises, visitors etc). One male wolf was found to have elevated heart rate whilst living with his mate and pups, indicating increased stress levels; when he was moved to his own enclosure, his heart rate and stress levels went down.

Following on from this research, the Rhythm of Life project hopes to move onto a similar study in wild Maned Wolves, as well as 8 Scimitar Horned Oryx.

What the Rhythm of a Maned Wolf's Heart Reveals
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This is a really interesting study but I do disagree that these animals are good at hiding their stress behaviour as from personal experience I've observed that they are one of the most visibly nervous and stressed mammals there is (in both the wild and captivity). I often think that if a human was to behave as highly strung and anxious as a maned wolf then they would be immediately prescribed Xanex by their local doctor.

It is interesting that the male wolf was found to be much more stressed while living with the mate and cubs. Recent research seems to indicate that in some areas of Brazil these animals are far more social than was previously thought.

The territories of males and females usually overlap and there has been found to be a lot more social interaction between long standing mated pairs and even their adult offspring. However, they are still behaviourally a mostly solitary animal and this is particularly evident with the males.

I can only think that the conditions of captivity where groups of these animals are maintained together all the time does not adequately replicate the wild conditions where males have a choice to interact or withdraw to their own territory and therefore elevates stress levels.
 
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Onychorhynchus coronatus said:
This is a really interesting study but I do disagree that these animals are good at hiding their stress behaviour as from personal experience I've observed that they are one of the most visibly nervous and stressed mammals there is (in both the wild and captivity). I often think that if a human was to behave as highly strung and anxious as a maned wolf then they would be immediately prescribed Xanex by their local doctor.

It is interesting that the male wolf was found to be much more stressed while living with the mate and cubs. Recent research seems to indicate that in some areas of Brazil these animals are far more social than was previously thought.

The territories of males and females usually overlap and there has been found to be a lot more social interaction between long standing mated pairs and even their adult offspring. However, they are still behaviourally a mostly solitary animal and this is particularly evident with the males.

I can only think that the conditions of captivity where groups of these animals are maintained together all the time does not adequately replicate the wild conditions where males have a choice to interact or withdraw to their own territory and therefore elevates stress levels.
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I agree about their lack of ability to hide stress. All carnivores do it on some level, but they're particularly bad at it. They remind me a lot of cheetahs and some breeds of dog (sighthounds). I spend a lot of time watching them at zoos (if they're up and about) and it's very easy to tell how they feel about different things happening.
 
TinoPup said:
I agree about their lack of ability to hide stress. All carnivores do it on some level, but they're particularly bad at it. They remind me a lot of cheetahs and some breeds of dog (sighthounds). I spend a lot of time watching them at zoos (if they're up and about) and it's very easy to tell how they feel about different things happening.
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The thing is they are a carnivore / predator and yet they are not.

They will typically eat mostly "lobeira" fruit for much of the year when they can get it and rodents, reptiles and small birds when seasonal changes necessitate this through the lack of availability of the fruit.

I think that for this reason their behaviour / temperament is typically not very "predator" like and lacks the inscrutability of many other canids or felines. Frankly they are a bit of a poor excuse for a predator in a lot of ways.

I've seen maned wolves tremble uncontrollably and get spooked / intimidated in both the wild and captivity by things that a lot of other animals simply would not bat an eyelid at.
 
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