Observe to understand: the importance of the ethogram

The term behavior consists of the set of actions that an animal performs or fails to do (DEL-CLARO, 2002). Thus, the ethogram consists of an observation technique in which the behaviors presented by the individual are recorded through observation on a timeline (COLEMAN, 2022). The objective of this technique is to obtain an overview of the animal’s behavior and observe the presence of behavioral patterns, as well as analyze if there are indicators of stress, the interaction with the environment and with the structures, among other important information about the species and the individual (CUBAS, 2014). 

Therefore, for the elaboration of this tool it is necessary to establish the objective of observation and have knowledge about natural behaviors of the group to be studied (CUBAS,2014). Other points to be defined are: the number of animals to be observed, the time of observation and how the introduction of the observer will be carried out (his positioning, his clothes, among other details). (ALTMANN, 1973). Thus, the behaviors will be divided into: long duration, which consist of activities such as sleeping and walking; short duration, which are actions like yawning and scratching; and others, which encompass the behaviors that have less relevance to the objective of observation (ALTMANN, 1973).

The observation time should be sufficient to encompass all behavior cycles that are relevant for the study (COLEMAN, 2022). Thus, it is necessary to choose periods for observation that will provide sufficient information for the research and also take into account the physiology of the species because some animals are more active in different parts of the day. (COLEMAN, 2022; CUBAS, 2014). Therefore, in order to help the collection of reliable information and reduce sampling deviations in the elaboration of ethograms, it is necessary that there is standardization of the intervals to be analyzed (ALTMANN, 1973).

As an example of the use of the technique, Damasceno et.al. (2021) performed an ethogram of a roadside hawk (Rupornis magnirostris), who were hospitalized in the outpatient clinic of the Federal Rural University of the Amazon, in 3 observation shifts lasting 30 minutes each, divided into 21 daily sessions over a period of 10 days. In another study, Campos e Ribeiro (2023), made observation of Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) at the Zoo of Cascavel, through the use of unified ethogram that encompassed the behaviors seen with a total of 60 hours of observation and objective to evaluate the behavior of the animal in captivity. Ahead, Favoretto et.al. (2024) performed a indigo macaw’s (Anodorhynchus leari) ethogram in two stages, of which the first stage was the observation of nine individuals by sampling method of all occurrences, with duration of 60 hours, and the second stage 288 hours of observation, in order to identify the reproductive behavior of the species.

Figure 1. Movements made by Anodorhynchus learis during the ``feeding courtship´´. Source: Favoretto, 2024. Illustration: Pedro Busana, 2016.

Thus, this study tool can be used in different scenarios and objectives (COLEMAN, 2022). In addition to having steps for its use based on standardization and that provides relevant information about the behavior of different individuals and species (COLEMAN, 2022). Therefore, the ethogram is an important tool for understanding animal behavior (DEL-CLARO, 2002). 

Author: Júlia Eva Gontijo Soares – Director of internal communications.

Savage panel Mar/2025

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES:

1. ALTMANN, J. Observational study of behavior: Sampling methods. 1. Ed. Chicago, 1973.

2. CAMPOS, D. M.; RIBEIRO, R. N. Etograma de Tigre de Bengala (Phantera tigris tigris) no Zoológico de Cascavel/PR. Revista Thêma et Scientia, Cascavel, v.12. n.1. 2022. Disponível em: https://themaetscientia.fag.edu.br/index.php/RTES/article/view/1510 

3. COLEMAN, K.; SCHAPIRO, S. J. Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals. 1. Ed. Boca Ranton: CRC Press, 2022.

4. CUBAS, Z. S. Tratado de Animais Selvagens: Medicina Veterinária. 2. Ed. São Paulo: Editora Roca LTDA, 2014. 1 v. 

5. DAMASCENO, A. A. P; OLIVEIRA, J. V. S; MORAES, M. J; MIRANDA, J. M. S; CASTRO, D. C; CARMO, C. C; RIBEIRO, A. S. S. Ethogram of carijós hawks (Rupornis magnirostris) hospitalized in the wildlife outpatient clinic of the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia. Research, Society and Development, v. 10, n. 5, 2021. DOI: 10.33448/rsd-v10i5.14257.

6. DEL-CLARO, K. Comportamento animal: uma orientação ao estudo do comportamento animal. 1. ed. Uberlândia: Del-Claro, 2002. 

7. FAVORETTO, G.R, SUGIEDA, A. M; GUIDA, F. J. V; PIRATELLI, A. J. Etograma de Anodorhynchus leari (Aves: Psittacidae) em cativeiro: uma base para estudos comportamentais. Iheringia, Série Zoologia. 114. 2024. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4766e261579