First Prosimian Husbandry Workshop 2009 - Cleveland Metroparks ...

Question (Cathy Williams): Is there an advantage to housing as pairs or just putting males in at
breeding season?
Moderator (Helena Fitch Snyder):: In my study, there was no difference. I would put them
together just for breeding, then different males could be swapped out. There are some cases where
pairs worked.
Question (Laura Suski): How long was visitation with other males?
Moderator (Helena Fitch Snyder): Long enough to mate. Sometimes it would take the male two
hours to figure out the gate was open.
Question (Laura Suski): How long will female wear plug?
Moderator (Helena Fitch Snyder):: Half a day, but there is quite a bit of variation.
Question (Chris Kuhar): Have you seen activity pattern differences between females housed
solitarily and those housed socially?
Moderator (Helena Fitch Snyder): Never been studied, but that does make sense, although visual or
olfactory processes can help.
Comment (Karen Weisenseel): The fluctuating light cycle was important.
Response (Grace Fuller): Pygmy lorises are far enough north, but there is enough fluctuation in
light.
It is important to be careful regarding overcleaning cages in nocturnal prosimian cages. One study
looked at olfactory communication and mate selection. Males and females were housed separately.
Female would be exposed to male scents and she could choose. Females chose to mate with
familiar and “top-marking males”. This is important to consider if you are trying to get a pair to
mate.
Question (Ingrid Porton): How long did the female have to investigate?
Moderator (Helena Fitch Snyder): She had access at least one month before breeding season.
Question (Grace Fuller): Counter marked is more important than more familiar males.
Reproductive monitoring: determining gender and estrus cycles
It is really important to keep good records of what is going on with the pygmy lorises for breeding.
It helps to have trained staff good at identifying and realizing that it is hard to identify gender.
Pictures can help with gender identification
See CD for loris cycle monitoring systems
Estrus cycle ratings:
Stage 1. Vagina sealed, pale and dry
Stage 2. Vagina partially open, pink, moist
Stage 3. Vagina fully open and flushed, mucus or moist
Important to focus on what is normal for each individual. It is very important to be consistent
between keepers. It really helps to carefully monitor each species. Ex. Lion-tailed macaque male that
was thought to be infertile, but immediately got a 3 month old female. It turned out to be a problem
with the females.
Mating behavior and pairing management
Keeping pairs together or during estrus is up to each institution, but need to monitor female.
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