Abstract
The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is known to have evolved from gray wolves, about 15,000 years ago. They frequently exist as free-ranging populations across the world. They are typically scavengers and well adapted to living among humans. Most canids living in and around urban habitats tend to avoid humans and show crepuscular activity peaks. In this study, we carried out a detailed population-level survey on free-ranging dogs in West Bengal, India, to understand the activity patterns of free-ranging dogs in relation to human activity. Using 5669 sightings of dogs, over a period of 1 year, covering the 24 h of the day, we carried out an analysis of the time activity budget of free-ranging dogs to conclude that they are generalists in their habit. They remain active when humans are active. Their activity levels are affected significantly by age class and time of the day. In addition, we provide a detailed ethogram of free-ranging dogs. This, to our knowledge, is the first study of this kind, which might be used to further study the eco-ethology of these dogs.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all the past and present members of the Dog Lab at IISER Kolkata, who have contributed at various levels to the compilation of the ethogram. An initial ethogram composing of approximately 100 behaviours was prepared by A. Bhadra, to which additions were made over a period of 9 years to arrive at the ethogram reported in this manuscript.
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No funding was received for this work. Arunita Banerjee was supported by a fellowship from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.
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The sampling of dogs and analysis of data was carried out by A. Banerjee. The two authors co-wrote the manuscript. A. Bhadra designed and supervised the work.
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This work did not involve any handling of animals and was purely based on observations of dogs from a distance in their habitats. As per the Government of India Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and the CPCSEA guidelines, this work does not require additional ethical approval.
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Banerjee, A., Bhadra, A. Time-activity budget of urban-adapted free-ranging dogs. acta ethol 25, 33–42 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-021-00379-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-021-00379-6