Abstract:
Animals including mammals, fish, and even invertebrates express play behaviour.
Although this behaviour has been shown to improve juveniles' physical condition
and survival, we do not know how these benefits are achieved. Recent research
clearly shows that animal play is an important behavioural phenotype and that
detailed analyses of the phenomenon can help us understand the evolution of social
behaviour and the interaction of phylogeny, ecology, and behavioural
development. According to the motor training hypothesis, play helps animals
develop their motor skills. According to the self-handicapping hypothesis, animals
develop cognitive and emotional skills to prepare for the unexpected by using play
to practice losing and regaining postural control. We conducted focal observations
and recorded videos of play to examine the specific form and timing of play in
spotted deer (Axis axis) fawns which are present in Trincomalee, to test predictions
associated with motor training hypotheses. Our study was on spotted deer fawns
that were living in the bushes and caves in the historic Koneswaram Temple sites.
The deer which were present in the Deer Park, Sangamiththa Viharaya,
Sangamiththa Buddhist Pilgrims rest in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. They are also
spotted deer (Axis axis Ceylonensis) species. But their behaviour is like normal
spotted deer of Sri Lanka. Due to different feeding habits, less nutrient availability,
predators, and habitat. The play-action, duration of a play bout, fast travel,
localized travel, frequency of jump, turns, tail flag, body twist, body twitch, and
knee lift of deer fawns with their age were analysed. Our results suggest a
refinement of motor training hypotheses. The play behaviour of spotted deer fawns
which were present in the Trincomalee (urban area) also spent more time playing,
early in the juvenile period like other deer species and mammals. They express
their play behaviour according to the motor training hypothesis. Juveniles may play to
develop similar motor skills rather than species-specific antipredator tactics, with
non-functional manoeuvres to promote cognitive and motor skill development
during the early juvenile period.
