General Remarks

Please use the Biodome field trip as an opportunity to practice taking field notes by recording observations and reflections in your journal. I will collect the journals before spring break and may give you some feedback (in pencil). Journals are not graded.

It will be helpful to bring binoculars. Not all the animals are easy to see from the paths. If you want to try photography, use high-speed film (400-1600 ASA) as neither flash nor tripods are allowed in the exhibits. Telephoto or zoom lenses of 135 to 200 mm focal length may be useful. Lenses may fog up temporarily after you enter the tropical exhibit.

Suggestions for Behavior Projects:

Please choose a project prior to the trip and try to acquire some background knowledge on your species of choice. Some literature will be on reserve (see below). Also check the Zoological Record etc. for more recent papers in the library. It will be helpful to make a list of known behavior patterns before you start.

Projects should involve 2-3 hours of observation in one or two sittings. It will be important to start immediately after arrival as the exhibits will become progressively more crowded on a Saturday. Use the first 15-30 minutes to get to know some patterns and try to tell individuals apart. You can work in groups of two and discuss interpretations of behavioral elements but take separate notes in your journals and write your papers independently. It is useful to attempt some quantification of behavioral elements per unit of time that can later be shown graphically (Example: allo- or autogrooming per 5 minutes, visits to feeding station or a particular perch per 10 minutes, etc.). Bring a watch and use check marks in a table to record occurrences of behavioral elements. All behavior is of interest, including reactions of the animals to, or interactions with visitors.

You can ask the Biodôme guides for additional information (sex and age of animals, their captive history or other details). Compare this information to your observations and information from the literature. In your conclusion you may include your opinion or a critique of the way the animals are maintained in the exhibit.
 

Project 1:      Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris,Hydrochaeridae, Rodentia)

World's largest rodent. Easy to view off the main walkway (Tropical forest hall, Station 3), Family group with young. May be seen swimming, grooming, feeding, sleeping.

Project 2:     Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia, Callitrichidae)

Nest box and feeding station near path (Tropical Hall, Station 4). Very active and easy to view.

Project 3:     Goeldi's Marmoset (Callimicio goeldii, Callitrichidae, Primates)

Across the path from Station 4 and set back 10-15 feet (binoculars!). Larger family group with nest box, very active.

Project 4:     Cotton-top Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus, Callitrichidae, Primates)

One pair under "acclimatization" tent (= net) near Station 10. Somewhat harder to see (binoculars!) but less disturbed by visitors.

Xenarthra

Two toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus, Choloepinae, Bradipodidae) - inactive, usually under exhibit roof. Hard to find.

Chiroptera

Short-tailed fruit bat (Carollia perspicillata, Carolliinae, Phyllostomidae)

Mexican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis, Caroliinae, Phyllost.)all bats in dark Lesser Long-tongued bat (Glossophaga soricina, Glossophaginae, Phyllost.)tunnel, difficult Geoffroy's long-tongued bat (Anoura geoffroyi,Glossophaginae, Phyllost.)to observe
 

Mammals of the Laurentian Forest:
 

American Beaver (Castor canadensis, Castoridae, Rodentia)

American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum, Erethizontidae, Rodentia)

Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus, Leporidae, Lagomorpha)

River Otter (Lutra canadensis,Mustelidae, Carnivora)

Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis, Felidae, Carnivora)

Other (mammalian) point of interest:

Special exhibit on Belugas (= white whales, Delphinapterusbeluga, Fam. Monodontidae, Order Cetacea) of the St. Lawrence River. Picture, artifacts and video program. History of whaling and challenges of whale and whale habitat conservation.
 
 

Literature/Resources:

Adam, P. J.  1999.  Choloepus didactylus.  Mammalian Species, 621:1-8.

Epple, G. 1975. The behavior of Marmoset monkeys (Callithricidae). Pp. 195-239 in Primate Behavior: Developments in Field and Laboratory Research. Vol. 4. (L. A. Rosenblum, ed.). Academic Press, New York. xii+407pp. -> on reserve

Kleiman, D. G. 1981. Leontopithecus rosalia [Lion tamarin]. Mammalian Species, 148:1-7 -> on reserve

Kricher, John. 1997. A neotropical companion. An introduction to the animals, plants, and ecosystems of the New World Tropics. 2nd Edition. Princeton University Press, xvi+451 pp.

Mones, A. and J. Ojasti, 1986. Hydrochoerus hydochoeris [Capybara]. Mammalian Species, 264:1-7. -> on reserve

Web Site:     http://www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/biodome