Browsing Behavior of Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Katsina State, Nigeria
Ghude, M. I. *
Veterinary Section, Livestock Section, Agric Department, Nassarawa LGA, Kano State, Nigeria.
Hamdein MUTWAKEL
Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP), National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1096, Shika - Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Mohammed, H.B
Department of Animal Production, Dalanj University, Kordofan, Sudan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify the preferred plant species by browsing camels and the impact of seasons (wet, cold dry and hot dry) on the frequency of bite and time per bite. A total of seventeen (17) plant species were identified as the most preferred browse species identified during this study. Plant species were ranked based on the frequency of bite. Camels were followed to the browsing area and their feeding behavior was carefully monitored and obtained the information on the preferences and frequency of bite. In wet season, the longest time taken for a bite was recorded for Acacia nilotica (Bagaruwa) with 3.80 seconds per bite while the shortest 2.33 seconds per bite was for Dichrostachys cineria (Sarkakkiya). The time taken per bite of 2.25 seconds was obtained from Piliostigma reticulatum (Kargo) in both the cold dry and hot dry seasons while the shortest times of 1.40 and 1.42 seconds per bite were obtained for Leptadenia hastata (Yadiya) and Azadirachta indica (Neem) respectively. In conclusion, despite camel’s selective feeding behavior when browsing, time variations were observed based on preferences.
Keywords: Browse plants, camels, herbivores, frequency of bite, time spent per bite