Behavior of the Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris isthmius in a productive system, department of Córdoba, Colombia

Objective. To describe the behavior, of the subspecies H. hydrochaeris isthmius, during the dry and rainy seasons in catlle farms, Valencia, Córdoba, Colombia. Materials and methods. A population of animals between September 2005 to May 2007 was studied. Behavioral observations were made by ad libitum and instant sampling. Results. Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris isthmius were found to be tolerant to humans and showed a complex social behavior exhibiting various movements, activities and positions. It was also noted that activities related to reproduction and territoriality had lower frequencies. Conclusions. The behavior of the H. hydrochaeris isthmius is characterized by a stratified social system, showing a distribution of behavioral activity in daily time periods (morning, noon and evening) and a framework based on environmental variables. It was noted that their behavioral patterns did not differ significantly during the drought and rainfall seasons.