Abstract: Using ad libitum, scanning, and focal animal sampling methods, we studied the parturition behavior of 12 semifree-ranging female Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) at Heilongjiang Amur Tiger Park in Harbin from Arpil 1999 to June 2003. Nine types of behaviors were identified: standing, stepping, lying, sniffing, abdominal contraction, grooming, birthing, licking kittens, licking (not kittens) and eating.The behaviors that accounted for most of the total time budget during the parturition period were lying and licking kittens,42.9% and 34.5% , respectively. The behaviors that occurred most frequently were licking kittens (24. 6% ), lying (21.1% ), and abdominal contraction (16.9%). Using one-way ANOVA, we determined that female Amur tigers are different in the amount of time they spend lying and licking kittens. There were also significant differences in standing, lying, and grooming behaviors of female Amur tigers in different years. Spearman Rank correlation showed negative correlations between lying vs licking kittens (r_s = 0. 602, P < 0. 01) and lying vs grooming (r_s = 0.589, P < 0. 05).

Key words: Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), Parturition behavior, Semifree-anging, Time budget

摘要： 1999年4月至2003年6月,采用随机取样法、扫描取样法和目标取样法对黑龙江东北虎林园半散放条件12只成年雌性东北虎的产仔行为进行观察。结果表明,半散放雌性东北虎的产仔行为可分为9种:站立、行走、躺卧、嗅闻、努责、梳理、生产、亲仔和舔食。雌性东北虎的躺卧和亲仔行为时间最长,分别为42.9% 和34.5% ;躺卧、努责和亲仔行为发生频率较高,分别为21.1%、16. 9% 和24.6%。单因素方差分析表明,不同雌性东北虎个体间躺卧、亲仔等行为有显著差异;不同年份雌性成年东北虎的站立、躺卧、梳理等产仔行为也具有显著差异。相关分析显示,躺卧行为与亲子行为(r_s= 0.602, P<0.05)、梳理行为(r_s=0.589,P<0.05)均呈负相关。