Kobs (Kobus kob Erxleber, 1777) activities at salt-lick spots in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

Abstract

Activities (foraging, ruminating, resting, salt-licking, walking, playing, agonistic, mating, vigilant and standing) of kobs (Kobus kob Erxleber, 1777) visiting two different sizes of salt-lick spots (Larger:100.00m² and Smaller: 15.10m²) located on (Latitude N09054’76’’, longitude E03057’17’’) and (Latitude N09054’33’’, longitude  E03056’34’’), respectively within Gilbert-child track, Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria were investigated during dry season between January to April, 2012. It was observed that kobs visits to the larger salt-lick spot 158(58.70%) were more frequent compared to the smaller salt-lick spot 111(41.30%). The sizes of the salt-lick spots had significant effects on sex (χ² = 23.20, df = 1, P<0.01), age (χ² = 189.67, df = 5, P<0.01) and group size (r = 0.10, P < 0.01) of the visiting kobs. Highest percentage of the kobs (30.20%) was noticed ruminating at the salt-lick spots. Activities of the animal at the spots were not significantly affected (χ² = 43.85, df =9, P >0.01).  Evidently, sizes of salt-lick spots influenced kobs composition and their visiting motive was beyond salt-licking.

Keywords: Kobs, salt-lick, animal activities, eco-nutrition.