Feeding position preferences of Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus E. Geoffroy, 1812) at Talun Cipaganti Village, Garut, West Java

摘要

Nowadays, many habitats of Javan slow loris was fragmented. It also affects the amount of feed trees which will also affect the feeding behavior of Javan slow loris. This study was conducted to know is the Javan slow loris has preferences of feeding position and food kinds as one of foraging strategy on Prosimian. Research about feeding tree preferences of Javan slow loris has been conducted at Talun Cipaganti Village, Garut, West Java. This research was conducted on Mar 2017 to Apr 2017 during 17.00 to 23.00 also between 23.00 to 05.00. Data were collected by focal animal instantaneous sampling and ad libitum method. This research recorded 453 points feeding incident from 452 h total time of observation or about 11 % from all night behavior observation. The result of this research is shows the feeding position preferences from the highest to the lowest which lorises like are at terminal (TE), canopy top (CT), under canopy (UC), canopy (C), and canopy bottom (CB) with average value 133.5, 34, 33, 33, dan 28.5. Javan slow loris tends to have different feeding positions as one form of foraging strategy owned by Prosimian. This is influenced by the internal factors of lorises such as gender and nutrition needs, also influenced by external factors such as feeding item nutrition, tree architecture, and seasons. on the trees and tree architecture. In addition, feeding tree with the highest frequency is red calliandra (Calliandra callothrysus). These results are closely related to the type of feed tree which lorises used. Lorises choose the red calliandra because this feed tree has abundance exist all year to maximize reproductive capacity.