M Sc Dissertation(WII)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/3
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Item Density Related Behaviour of Select Ungulate Species in Four Zoos of Southern India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2003) Panda, Prajna Paramita; Choudhury, B.C.Density Related Behaviour of Select Ungulate Species in Four Zoos of Southern IndiaItem Diurnal and Seasonal Activity Pattern of Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) in Bhitakanika Wildlife Sanctuary, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1993) Pandav, Bivash; Choudhury, B.C.This study investigated the diurnal and seasonal activity pattern of water monitor, Varanus salvator in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, India. The study was conducted in an intensive study area of 17 sq.km selected after a pre sampling survey in the Sanctuary. The methodology involved to record the activity pattern of water monitor was monitoring of two permanent standard paths every three hours on diurnal basis. Sightings of water monitors were recorded while walking on the standard path. Behaviour of water monitor was divided into four categories such as basking, foraging, resting and non-foraging. Microhabitat of water monitor was recorded on each sighting. Ambient and substrate temperatures and ambient relative humidity were recorded along with diurnal activity pattern of water monitors. Results show a shift in diurnal activity pattern with season. The activity pattern of water monitor was unimodal in winter and uniform in summer. Basking was the major activity of water monitor in winter, whereas all the activities were evenly spread out in summer.The lizards used different microhabitats for different activities. Maximum lizards were recorded active at cooler substrate temperatures (29°C). The relation of ambient and substrate temperatures with activity was curvilinear. At low ambient temperature basking was prevalent. With increase in temperature other activities, such as foraging and resting were recorded. At high ambient temperature lizards selected cooler substrates. Ambient temperature and ambient relative humidity varied inversely. The activity was low at high levels of humidity It is concluded that behavioural thermoregulation plays a major role in water monitor’s activity.