Assessing the Impact of Meal Frequency on the Feeding Behaviours of Captive Asian Small‐Clawed Otters ( <i>Aonyx cinereus</i> )

This study investigated the impact of meal frequency on behavioural patterns of captive Asian small-clawed otters. Six adult otters at Parc d'Isle, Saint-Quentin, France, were observed under three sequential feeding regimens: three, four and five meals per day over 30 days total. Behavioural data collected via scan sampling showed that frequency of grooming behaviours significantly increased with higher meal frequencies (χ² = 12.4, p < 0.01). Locomotion, eating, foraging and inactive (resting) behaviour frequencies remained statistically unchanged across feeding regimens (p > 0.05). The frequency of aggressive behaviours decreased with increased meal frequency (χ² = 6.2, p < 0.05), although they were rare at baseline. Drinking behaviour frequency decreased significantly as meal frequency increased (χ² = 15.3, p < 0.001). Scanning and unclassified behaviour frequencies differed significantly across feeding regimens (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Food consumption remained consistently high (96.25%-98.07%) across all feeding regimens with no significant differences (p > 0.05). Daily meal duration was unaffected by feeding frequency. These results demonstrate that meal frequency alterations produce specific behavioural changes in captive Asian small-clawed otters without affecting food consumption or overall activity levels.