Why Do Big Cats pace in Zoos? What does the tigers’ pacing indicate?

You might know all about the tiger and the lion, but did you know that there are many other large cats out there that can give you some insight into their behavior?

To answer this question, we took a look at data from a number of big cat exhibits around the world and asked a few experts about the pacing behavior of these animals.

We found that there may actually be a very specific reason why they pace and what this pacing behavior means.

What Is Tiger Pacing?

When conditions are favorable for mating or hunting, large cats like tigers and leopards may pace during the day. Tigers in zoos, however, sleep throughout the day and pace when people are around.

This kind of pacing is odd and usually a sign of some kind of emotional pain, boredom, or dread.

Why do big cats pace in zoos?

I do have an answer, but it’s probably not what you’re hoping to hear.

Stress is the most prevalent cause of large cat behavior, such as pacing back and forth in their enclosure. This includes tigers, lions, panthers, etc.

Although the zoo’s enclosure may be spacious, it is still just that: an enclosure. Captivity isn’t the same as roaming free in nature, and practically every animal will suffer from the experience.

Other Reasons Why Big Cats pace in Their Zoo Enclosures

When it’s time to eat, cats will often begin to pace. Their bodies’ internal clocks will signal when they need to be fed because they will no longer be able to forage for themselves.

It’s quite a sight to witness a cat tearing through one of those big slabs of meat it’s given to eat. Seeing animals and plants up up and personal is a major draw visiting zoos.

The confinement stress is one thing, but their enclosure is too tiny. Animals’ mental health can be negatively impacted by inadequate housing conditions.

It’s true that international norms differ, but I still think that zoo animals should have larger habitats than they have.

Cats spend a lot of time outside and use their energy with brief bursts of running. Something they have difficulty accomplishing within their cages.

They’re getting agitated by all the people staring at them and pointing at the zoo, which I think we can all agree is a downside to living in a zoo.

Cats are well-known for their fondness of napping. You can witness a little version of this with your own eyes if you have a cat.

In fact, your cat may spend up to 16 hours a day sleeping, and if you bother it, it will likely either give you the death gaze or find another calm spot to rest in.

Why Is It Problematic?

Low animal well-being is indicated by the presence of pacing behaviors, which are used by animals to alleviate the tension of stressful situations.

One research found that captive tigers spend almost 20% of their day in similar activities. Typically, these tendencies peak during lunch and dinner. between the hours of 10 and 11 AM, and 3 and 4 PM, Monday through Friday.

It’s possible that people’s pacing habits arise as a result of the daily peaks and valleys of human connection. Pacing behaviors in tigers are at their highest just about 3:00 PM, when they have their afternoon meal.

Thus, it’s possible that human stress and anxiety are the root causes of such stereotyped conduct.

It Is Not Always Bad

There is evidence to suggest that stress is not necessarily the source of an animal’s pacing. It’s possible that they’re patrolling the area, as it’s normal for cats to keep an eye on what’s going on in their domain.

Since there is less room to move about in comparison to the huge wilderness that might take days to cover, it may seem strange.

They may also pace because of anticipatory actions, such as when they hear or see their keeper approaching. The presence of a keeper usually heralds the arrival of reinforcements like food.

If an animal, such as a service dog or an accident victim, is anxious or excited about visiting the display, it may pace.

When separated from another animal with whom they bonded while on display, such as during a trip to the vet, they may start pacing.

Researchers were interested in learning more about the daily routines of tigers, including whether or not they pace.

They watched two tigers and three lions in 2007 from within and outside the exhibit, with and without obstacles obstructing their views.

They discovered that both groups of animals responded positively to environmental disruption, becoming more active as a result.

Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors (ARBs)

Zoochosis, or abnormal repeating behaviors (ARB), are widespread among animals housed in captivity. These are major issues that must be addressed effectively.

Walking or running in place incessantly without any apparent destination is an example of pacing, which is classified as an ARB. The animal’s mental and physical health may suffer as a result of these actions.

Other abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs) include rocking, excessive grooming/licking, biting the bars, swaying, bouncing one’s head, and swaying.

Common causes of ARBs include persistent attempts to alleviate a bothersome emotional state, such as boredom, tension, anxiety, brain injury, or suffering caused by habitual actions.

What Can Zoo Authorities Do?

There are more tigers in zoos and other enclosures than there are in the wild. The authorities need to make adjustments and improvements to reduce the likelihood of ARBs and enhance the standard of living for confined animals.

Animals, humans, and the environment would all benefit from these types of facilities, since they would play a significant part in bringing about a positive shift in the way environmental preservation is viewed and practiced.

Captivity-related stress is only one possible explanation for ARBs; the animals’ other requirements may also be going unmet.

According to welfare standards established by Australian law, pacing habits can be reduced via the use of targeted enrichment methods.

Eileen Kat Tuite did a study in 2017 to examine the prevalence of pacing behaviors in tigers and evaluate the enrichment strategies currently utilized to address these behaviors in eight Australian zoos.

The study’s findings indicate that caged tigers frequently engage in pacing and other ARBs.

The research also showed that zookeepers utilize a wide range of enrichment techniques, including as putting up visual barriers, changing the animals’ eating routines, presenting them with novel things, and even piqueing their interest through olfactory stimulation.

Enrichment is intended to stimulate the tigers and encourage them to forage for food and investigate new objects in their environment. In addition, it encourages healthy and successful reproduction.

Changing how food is presented can also be useful since it can foster foraging and hunting behaviors that are similar to those of wild animals. It’s also good for the public since it makes visiting zoos more enjoyable.

What Can You Do?

It might feel like there’s nothing you can do to improve the lives of tigers and other captive animals. But this is not true; there are actions you can do. Supporting regional zoos is a great way to give back to your communities.

When zoos have greater resources, they can fund more participatory research and develop more cutting-edge enrichment programs to reduce pacing.

The zoo is actively involved in initiatives that promote environmental sustainability. Visit the zoo to learn more about the projects they support so you can give wisely.

Never take matters into your own hands by hurling objects at tigers in an effort to spice up their existence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Tiger Pacing

What does the tigers’ pacing indicate?

A tiger’s pacing behavior may indicate anxiety. Tigers, and other animals, can experience zoochosis, a condition where confinement causes the animal to exhibit aberrant behaviors like pacing due to psychological discomfort.

What is chuffing?

Tigers welcome one other with a vocalization known as chuffing or Prusten. This vocalization is also utilized by mothers to soothe their cubs and during mating.

Coughing is a common way for tigers to express their happiness or pleasure toward their human caretaker. Big cats’ chuffing sounds a lot like the purring of smaller cats.

Are animals killed in zoos?

Sadly, zoos do murder animals on occasion due to factors such as old age, sickness, lack of room, and terminal illness. It’s been compared to euthanizing dogs when medical intervention isn’t an option.

Are zoo animals likely to die prematurely?

Most definitely, zoo animals have a shorter lifespan than they should. Wild elephants may expect to live three times as long as their captive counterparts.

Timber camp elephants have been shown to live longer than zoo elephants in one research.

About 40% of lion cubs make it to their first month, and another 30% make it to their sixth month, according to a guest editorial published in International Zoo News in 2004.

Elephants in zoos have a high mortality rate; 30% of those who make it to age 6 are stillborn due to factors such a lack of space and the inability to forage for food.

Between a lion and a tiger, which animal is stronger?

The tiger’s larger size and superior strength have earned it the reputation of being more powerful than the lion’s. When comparing the power of Bengal and Siberian tigers to that of African lions, most experts pick the former.

What happened to Marius, the giraffe?

Two-year-old Marius, a giraffe, was tragically cut down in his prime. The Copenhagen Zoo completely enthralled him.

Because his genes were overrepresented in the captive population, the authorities deemed him expendable and killed him (i. e. , the process of preserving animals in confinements, like zoos and wildlife reserves).

Conclusion

Why do big cats pace in zoos? The pacing of big cats is all about keeping track of time, space, and their internal clocks.

Pacing helps keep them focused and relaxed, which ultimately leads to higher levels of energy and productivity. This makes it easy for big cats to stay calm and focused during stressful situations.

The pacing of a tiger, for example, is an indication that he is actively aware of his surroundings, while pacing can indicate boredom in a lion.

source https://catshint.com/big-cats-pace-zoos/