CRECHE BEHAVIOR OF NUBIAN IBEX CAPRA-IBEX-NUBIANA IN THE NEGEV DESERT HIGHLANDS, ISRAEL

Creche behavior in mammals has been observed rarely and in most cases was not interpreted as such. We show for the first time the existence of creche behavior in the Nubian ibex Capra ibex nubiana in the central Negev desert highlands. Creche formation began in mid March and it was active in the same location for three to four weeks during four consecutive years. The daily number of kids in the creche increased gradually during the first two weeks, approximately; subsequently the number decreased until the creche ended. During the first half of the formation period mothers left their kids in the creche for foraging. In the second half kids gradually began to leave and enter the creche freely, sometimes to join their mothers in foraging. Once in the creche, the kids interacted socially, playing and exploring the creche area, or were resting. The average ratio of kids per adult female in the creche, during its activity in the three years, ranged from 1.9 to 3.7. Furthermore, several times up to thirty kids were left in the creche without any adult female guard. Mothers periodically visited their kids during the day for suckling and stayed with them overnight. The process of the creche formation is described and its possible selective advantage is discussed.