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Primates; journal of primatology2019; 61(1); 49-54; doi: 10.1007/s10329-019-00728-x

Feral horses’ (Equus ferus caballus) behavior toward dying and dead conspecifics.

Abstract: In the rapidly expanding field of comparative thanatology, reports from a wide range of taxa suggest that some aspects of a concept of death may be shared by many non-human species. In horses, there are only a few anecdotal reports on behaviors toward dead conspecifics, mostly concerning domestic individuals. Here, we describe the case of a 2-month-old, free-ranging male foal that died around 12 h after being found severely injured due to a presumed wolf attack, focusing on other individuals' reactions to the dying foal. We also placed camera traps near horse carcasses to investigate reactions by other horses. Kin and non-kin of both sexes showed unusual interest in the dying foal. However, horses appeared to avoid dead conspecifics. Recording individual reactions to dead and dying conspecifics in naturalistic settings will enhance our knowledge about death-related behaviors in horses, allowing comparisons with other species that have been more thoroughly studied, to understand the evolutionary basis of these behaviors.
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Publication Date: 2019-05-27 PubMed ID: 31134472DOI: 10.1007/s10329-019-00728-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper explores the reactions and behaviors of feral horses towards their dying and dead counterparts. Specifically, it details the case of a young male foal, seriously injured, and the actions of other horses in response to the dying youngster. The researchers also used camera traps to record horse interactions with dead horses. The findings contribute to our understanding of death-related behaviors in horses and supports comparative studies with other animals.

Background of the Study

  • With advancements in the field of comparative thanatology- the study of death and the practices associated with it in different species,
  • This research uses the case of a severely injured two-month-old male foal that was presumed to have been attacked by a wolf.
  • The horse died approximately 12 hours after being found injured, during which time the researchers were able to observe the behavior of other horses towards it.

Methods Used

  • To better understand the reactions of horses to dying and dead peers, the researchers also set up camera traps near horse carcasses to observe the behavior of surviving horses towards the dead ones.
  • They paid special attention to the behavior of “kin” and “non-kin” of the dying or deceased horse, meaning those who were either genetically related or unrelated to them.

Findings of the Study

  • The selected horses showed a distinct interest in the dying foal, regardless of whether they were kin or non-kin.
  • In contrast, horses appeared to generally avoid their dead peers, as observed through the camera traps.

Implications of the Research

  • This study contributes vital knowledge to the understanding of death-related behaviors in horses.
  • By learning how these animals respond to death, more light can be shed upon the evolutionary rationale behind such behaviors.
  • Furthermore, these findings can be compared with similar behaviors in other species for broader evolutionary implications and an enhanced understanding of both horse behavior, and that of other species as well.

Cite This Article

APA
Mendonça RS, Ringhofer M, Pinto P, Inoue S, Hirata S. (2019). Feral horses’ (Equus ferus caballus) behavior toward dying and dead conspecifics. Primates, 61(1), 49-54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-019-00728-x

Publication

Primates; journal of primatology
ISSN: 1610-7365
NlmUniqueID: 0401152
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 1
Pages: 49-54

Researcher Affiliations

Mendonça, Renata S
  • Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. renatadasilva.mendonca@gmail.com.
  • Department of Life Sciences, Centre for Functional Ecology-Science for People & the Planet, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. renatadasilva.mendonca@gmail.com.
Ringhofer, Monamie
  • Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. monamie.ringhofer@gmail.com.
Pinto, Pandora
  • Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Inoue, Sota
  • Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Hirata, Satoshi
  • Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Death
  • Female
  • Horses / psychology
  • Male
  • Social Behavior
  • Thanatology

Grant Funding

  • JSPS-LGP-U04 / Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
  • 16H06283 / Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
  • 15H01619 / KAKENHI
  • 15H05309 / KAKENHI
  • 17H0582 / KAKENHI
  • 18K18342 / KAKENHI

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Schubert CL, Ryckewaert B, Pereira C, Matsuzawa T. Garrano Horses Perceive Letters of the Alphabet on a Touchscreen System: A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 12;12(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12243514pubmed: 36552434google scholar: lookup
  2. Nakamichi M. Good case studies reveal something important. Primates 2022 Nov;63(6):553-556.
    doi: 10.1007/s10329-022-01027-8pubmed: 36322267google scholar: lookup
  3. Anderson JR. Responses to death and dying: primates and other mammals. Primates 2020 Jan;61(1):1-7.
    doi: 10.1007/s10329-019-00786-1pubmed: 31902088google scholar: lookup
  4. Matsuzawa T. Horses and nomads in Mongolia. Primates 2019 Sep;60(5):383-387.
    doi: 10.1007/s10329-019-00746-9pubmed: 31471829google scholar: lookup
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