A biomimetic nest box for raising red pandas in captivity

Abstract

This invention discloses a biomimetic nest box for captive red pandas, belonging to the technical field of wildlife captive breeding facilities. The nest box includes a box body, a partition assembly, a keeper operation door assembly, an animal entrance / exit assembly, and a temperature control assembly. The partition assembly divides the inner cavity of the box body into upper and lower independent sections. The sides of the box body have two keeper operation doors with observation windows, and the front has an animal entrance / exit with a circular movable door connected to the box body via a hinge. The interior of the box body contains a thermometer and an ice pack container. This invention simulates the environment of a natural tree hole nest through biomimetic design, utilizes an independent dual-channel design to separate keeper operation from animal entry / exit, and combines passive temperature control to effectively reduce human interference and maintain the temperature inside the nest box within a suitable range. It aims to solve the problems of existing nest boxes being simple in structure, lacking biomimetic design, lacking temperature control methods, and inconvenient to operate, significantly improving the survival rate of captive red panda cubs during the breeding season.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of wildlife captive breeding facilities, specifically relating to a biomimetic nest box for captive breeding of red pandas. Background Technology

[0002] The red panda is a small, endangered, arboreal carnivore. Due to its striking appearance and charming personality, it is in high demand for display in zoos worldwide. To meet the international community's needs for red panda population management, a global species management plan has been established. However, this plan points out that one of the main factors hindering the stable development of captive red panda populations is the high cub mortality rate, with the mortality rate of cubs within 30 days of birth typically exceeding 25%.

[0003] In the wild, red pandas choose tree cavities 2 to 5 meters above the ground as nesting sites for building nests and giving birth. These cavities are approximately 1 meter deep and have an opening diameter of about 15 centimeters. Wild cubs reside in these nests for the first 2 to 3 months after birth, a period that coincides with the highest mortality rate under captive conditions. To simulate the wild tree cavity nesting environment, zoos typically use wooden nest boxes as a substitute.

[0004] To systematically understand the key design elements of red panda nest boxes, existing research has conducted questionnaire surveys of breeding facilities worldwide. Analysis results indicate that nest box temperature and the way keepers handle cubs are two key factors significantly affecting cub survival rates. Specifically, nest boxes where the temperature is maintained below 23.8°C during the breeding season, and nest boxes with separate access doors for keepers and animals, have significantly higher cub survival rates. Based on this, the Red Panda Specialty Group of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums has proposed nest box design recommendations, including separate access doors and control doors, temperature and humidity control, ease of cleaning, provision of natural light, and the installation of infrared cameras.

[0005] Despite the aforementioned recommendations, subsequent investigations show that the mortality rate of red panda cubs has not improved significantly, remaining as high as approximately 25%. Currently, the commonly used nest box designs in China are either simple square boxes with only a single opening and no door for the zookeeper, or rectangular boxes with a door for the zookeeper but unable to effectively isolate the mother. Neither of these existing designs effectively simulates the nesting environment of natural tree cavities, nor do they provide reliable temperature control methods. This results in an inability to provide a stable and suitable microenvironment for the mother and cubs during the breeding season, a significant reason for the persistently high cub mortality rate. Therefore, developing a biomimetic nest box that can more closely simulate natural tree cavities, has effective temperature control functions, and is easy for zookeepers to operate safely is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a biomimetic nest box for captive red pandas, thereby solving the problems of simple structure, lack of biomimetic design, lack of temperature control methods, and inconvenience for keepers in existing captive red panda nest boxes.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: a biomimetic nest box for captive breeding of red pandas is provided, including a box body, a partition assembly, a keeper operation door assembly, an animal entrance and exit assembly, and a temperature control assembly.

[0008] The box is the main structure of the entire nest box. It is made of wood and has good thermal insulation properties, and is easy to clean and disinfect.

[0009] The partition assembly includes a horizontal partition located inside the enclosure. This horizontal partition precisely divides the interior of the enclosure into two independent sections, upper and lower. This design separates the originally large, single space into two vertically stacked units, simulating the internal structural hierarchy that may exist in a natural tree hole, and providing a foundation for subsequent space management.

[0010] Keeper access door assembly: This includes an upper and a lower keeper access door located on the side of the enclosure. These two doors correspond to the upper and lower sections of the enclosure, respectively, allowing keepers to access specific areas for precise management.

[0011] Animal entrance / exit assembly: This includes a circular animal entrance / exit located on the top front side of the enclosure and connected to the upper independent section. The diameter of this entrance / exit simulates the typical opening size of a wild red panda's tree hole, allowing only the red panda's body to pass through, increasing its sense of security and reducing the risk of predator intrusion. A circular movable door is also provided at this entrance / exit for closing or opening the animal entrance / exit.

[0012] Temperature control components include a thermometer and an ice pack holder installed inside the nest box. The thermometer is used to monitor the temperature inside the nest box in real time and visually; the ice pack holder is used to place ice packs in high-temperature environments. By utilizing the physical principle that the melting ice packs absorb heat, passive cooling of the nest box is achieved without an external power source, making it safe and reliable.

[0013] The biomimetic nest box of this invention, through the synergistic cooperation of the aforementioned five components, constructs a highly biomimetic and fully functional nest box system. The wooden box body provides basic insulation and a comfortable environment; the independent upper and lower sections offer tiered habitats for the animals; the separate keeper's access door and animal entrance / exit separate human and animal passages, reducing human interference; the circular animal entrance / exit mimics the shape of a natural tree cavity; and the passive temperature control system, consisting of a thermometer and an ice pack holder, maintains the nest box temperature at the optimal threshold of below 23.8°C. Compared with existing technologies, the core benefits of this invention are: reducing maternal stress through biomimetic design, reducing the risk of cub abandonment through independent passage design, and reducing cub heat stress mortality through passive temperature control design, thereby comprehensively improving the survival rate of captive red panda cubs during their breeding season.

[0014] Furthermore, the horizontal partition is divided into two halves along its center line, one half being a detachable panel that is detachably connected to the enclosure. This design allows keepers to choose to install or remove the panel according to management needs. When the panel is installed, the upper and lower sections are completely isolated; when the panel is removed, the two sections are connected by an opening, allowing the animals to move freely. This structure provides the flexibility to confine the red panda to the lower section or to safely separate the mother and cubs when necessary. For example, before the mother gives birth, the panel can be removed to allow her to freely choose her nesting layer; when the cubs need to be handled separately, the panel can be installed to isolate the mother in the upper section, allowing the keeper to safely access the cubs through the lower access door. This flexibility is unmatched by existing single-enclosure structures, greatly improving the safety of husbandry and management and adaptability to the needs of different breeding stages.

[0015] Furthermore, each of the circular movable door, the upper zookeeper's operating door, and the lower zookeeper's operating door is equipped with a transparent observation window. These windows are made of high-strength transparent materials (such as tempered glass or polycarbonate) and are inlaid into the door panel. Zookeepers can directly observe the animals inside the enclosure or at the entrance / exit through the observation windows without opening the doors. The observation windows achieve a closed-loop optimization of the "observation-decision-action" process. Before opening the door or performing any operation, zookeepers can accurately determine the animals' location and status (e.g., whether the mother animal is behind the door, or whether the pups are near the exit) through the observation windows, thus avoiding the possibility of animals escaping, being injured, or being frightened if the door is opened blindly. This design reduces unnecessary human interference at the source and lowers the stress response of the mother animal.

[0016] Furthermore, the ice pack container is equipped with an ice pack container cover at the top and a drain hole at the bottom for draining condensate. The ice pack container is a concave cavity for holding frozen ice packs. The ice pack container cover covers the top of the ice pack container, physically isolating the ice packs from the interior space of the enclosure. The drain hole is located at the bottom of the ice pack container and communicates with the outside of the enclosure. The purpose of the ice pack container cover is to prevent curious red pandas from directly contacting the ice packs, avoiding frostbite or accidental ingestion of the ice pack contents. The drain hole allows condensate from melting ice packs to drain promptly, preventing water accumulation, bacterial growth, or dampness inside the enclosure. This design achieves passive cooling while fully ensuring animal welfare and maintaining a dry and hygienic environment inside the nest box.

[0017] Furthermore, the bottom of the enclosure is equipped with several drainage holes for draining accumulated water. These drainage holes are through-holes penetrating the bottom plate of the enclosure, typically multiple holes evenly distributed at the lower part of the bottom plate. When rainwater flows back into the enclosure from the animal inlet / outlet or cleaning water enters the enclosure, the accumulated water can automatically flow out through the drainage holes under gravity. This ensures that the interior of the nest box dries quickly in humid outdoor environments or after routine cleaning, preventing the wooden enclosure from rotting due to prolonged water accumulation. It also provides the red panda with a dry and hygienic habitat, reducing the risk of skin diseases and bacterial infections.

[0018] Furthermore, the biomimetic nest box also includes a rainproof top cover, which is detachably installed on the top of the box. The rainproof top cover is slightly larger than the top surface of the box and has a certain angle of inclination or an eaves structure. When the nest box is placed outdoors, the top cover can effectively block rainwater, preventing it from seeping into the interior through the circular animal inlet / outlet or the seams of the box. The rainproof top cover allows the nest box of the present invention to be safely used in outdoor exhibition areas, greatly expanding its applicability. The detachable design also facilitates transportation and cleaning maintenance.

[0019] Furthermore, the enclosure is 55 cm long, 55 cm wide, and 100 cm high; the diameter of the circular animal entrance / exit is 15 cm; and the dimensions of the upper and lower independent sections are both 55 cm × 55 cm × 50 cm. The total height of the enclosure (100 cm) simulates the depth of a natural tree cavity, providing vertical space for movement and a temperature gradient (hot air rises, making the lower level potentially cooler). The 15 cm diameter of the circular animal entrance / exit is only large enough for the red panda's body to pass through, eliminating the possibility of large predators entering and increasing the mother's sense of security. The two 50 cm high independent sections are both suitable for adult red pandas to curl up and rest, and for cubs to crawl and move around, neither too cramped nor too spacious. This size combination achieves an optimal balance between space utilization, biomimetic realism, and ease of management.

[0020] Furthermore, one side of the circular movable door is connected to the side of the box body via a pivot, allowing the circular movable door to rotate relative to the side of the box body. The circular movable door has an upper locking mechanism; the side of the box body has a lower locking mechanism that cooperates with the upper locking mechanism. In this embodiment, the circular movable door is actually a side-opening revolving door. The pivot hinges one side of the circular movable door to the side of the box body, allowing the circular movable door to rotate horizontally around the pivot, thereby opening or closing the animal entrance / exit. The pivot is a damping pivot, allowing the circular movable door to be suspended at any angle. The upper and lower parts of the locking mechanism are respectively installed on the circular movable door and the box body, and lock in the closed state through interlocking. The rotating circular movable door enables closed control of the animal entrance / exit, and its structure is more traditional and reliable. The pivot connection has high mechanical strength and durability. The cooperation of the upper and lower parts of the locking mechanism provides a reliable locking force, preventing animals from accidentally pushing it open from the inside. This connection method facilitates disassembly during maintenance.

[0021] Furthermore, the upper feeder's operating door is connected to the box body via an upper operating door hinge. An upper operating door lock seat is provided on the side of the upper feeder's operating door away from the upper operating door hinge, and an upper operating door lock body that cooperates with the upper operating door lock seat is provided on the box body. The lower feeder's operating door is connected to the box body via a lower operating door hinge. A lower operating door lock seat is provided on the side of the lower feeder's operating door away from the lower operating door hinge, and a lower operating door lock body that cooperates with the lower operating door lock seat is provided on the box body.

[0022] Compared with existing captive red panda nest boxes, the biomimetic nest box for captive red pandas provided by this invention has the following advantages: 1. The box dimensions and single circular animal entrance / exit design of this invention accurately simulate the morphological characteristics of tree-hole nests preferred by wild red pandas. This highly biomimetic environment provides mothers with a familiar space for giving birth and raising cubs, effectively reducing their stress response caused by unfamiliar environments in captivity. The reduction in the mother's stress level directly manifests as a decrease in abnormal behaviors such as abandoning or cannibalizing cubs, thereby significantly improving the success rate of natural nursing.

[0023] 2. This invention separates the animal entrance / exit from the zookeeper's operating door. The core principle of this design is to physically isolate the animal's daily activity path from the human management path. When the zookeeper needs to remove the cubs for health checks or clean the nest box, they can operate the door from the side, completely avoiding the mother animal's main line of sight and entry / exit route, minimizing disturbance to the mother. This directly solves the core problem in existing technologies where frequent interference from zookeepers causes the mother animal to panic, abandon her cubs, or even attack them.

[0024] 3. This invention utilizes a detachable horizontal partition design, transforming the interior space of the enclosure into a dynamically configurable space. The technical principle is as follows: when the partition is fully installed, the upper and lower sections are completely isolated, allowing the keeper to confine the mother animal to the upper or lower section, thus safely handling the cubs or performing cleaning in the other section. When the mother animal needs to freely nurse her cubs, half of the partition can be removed, creating a connected yet still layered space. This flexibility is unmatched by existing single-enclosure structures, greatly improving the safety of husbandry and management and adaptability to the needs of different breeding stages.

[0025] 4. Addressing the lack of effective temperature control in existing nest boxes, this invention integrates a passive temperature control system consisting of a thermometer and an ice pack container. Its technical principle utilizes physical phase change heat absorption: the ice in the ice pack absorbs a significant amount of heat from the surrounding environment during melting, thus achieving localized cooling. Through real-time monitoring by the thermometer, keepers can promptly replace the ice packs, stably maintaining the nest box temperature below the optimal threshold of 23.8°C. Compared to active air conditioning or refrigeration equipment requiring an external power source, this passive temperature control solution is safer, more reliable, and more economical in outdoor or semi-outdoor exhibits in zoos, effectively avoiding the risk of heat stress-related deaths such as dehydration and heatstroke in cubs due to high temperatures.

[0026] 5. This invention incorporates transparent observation windows on the keeper's operating door, animal entrance / exit, and circular movable door. This seemingly simple design's technical significance lies in achieving closed-loop optimization of the "observation-decision-action" process. Before opening the door or performing any operation, the keeper can accurately grasp the animal's position and status through the observation windows. This avoids the possibility of animal escape, injury, or fright that might result from blindly opening the door, making every human intervention precise and controllable, and reducing unnecessary interference at the source.

[0027] 6. This invention supports both vertical and horizontal installation methods and features a rainproof top cover and bottom drainage holes designed for outdoor environments. This highly adaptable design principle allows it to easily cope with the site limitations of different zoo exhibits (such as low-ceilinged exhibits or special landscape arrangements), and it can be easily deployed in both indoor animal enclosures and outdoor gardens. At the same time, the rainproof and drainage design ensures the structural stability and internal dryness of the nest box under harsh outdoor weather conditions, greatly extending its service life and reducing maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a biomimetic nest box for captive red pandas, installed vertically.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a biomimetic nest box for captive red pandas, installed horizontally.

[0030] Figure 3 A three-dimensional structural diagram of adding a rainproof top cover to a biomimetic nest box.

[0031] The components include: 1. Circular animal entrance / exit; 2. Circular movable door; 3. Observation window of the movable door; 4. Upper part of the locking mechanism; 5. Locking mechanism pivot; 6. Lower part of the locking mechanism; 7. Upper-level zookeeper operating door; 8. Upper-level operating door observation window; 9. Upper-level operating door hinge; 10. Upper-level operating door lock seat; 11. Upper-level operating door lock body; 12. Detachable partition; 13. Lower-level zookeeper operating door; 14. Lower-level operating door observation window; 15. Lower-level operating door hinge; 16. Lower-level operating door lock seat; 17. Lower-level operating door lock body; 18. Thermometer; 19. Ice pack container; 20. Ice pack container cover; 21. Drainage hole of the ice pack container. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The specific embodiments of the present invention are described below to enable those skilled in the art to understand the present invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the scope of the specific embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various changes are obvious as long as they are within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined and determined by the appended claims. All inventions utilizing the concept of the present invention are protected.

[0033] Example 1 like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a biomimetic nest box for captive red pandas, which is installed vertically. The nest box mainly includes a box body, a partition assembly, a keeper operation door assembly, an animal entrance / exit assembly, and a temperature control assembly.

[0034] The box is made of wood and measures 55 cm in length, 55 cm in width, and 100 cm in height.

[0035] The partition assembly includes a horizontal partition disposed inside the housing. This horizontal partition is divided into two halves along its centerline, one half being a removable panel 12, which is detachably connected to the housing. The horizontal partition divides the inner cavity of the housing into two independent sections, upper and lower, each measuring 55 cm × 55 cm × 50 cm.

[0036] The zookeeper operating door assembly includes an upper zookeeper operating door 7 and a lower zookeeper operating door 13 located on the side of the enclosure. The upper zookeeper operating door 7 and the lower zookeeper operating door 13 correspond to two independent upper and lower sections, respectively. Specifically, the upper zookeeper operating door 7 is connected to the enclosure via an upper operating door hinge 9. An upper operating door lock seat 10 is located on the side of the upper zookeeper operating door 7 away from the upper operating door hinge 9, and an upper operating door lock body 11 that cooperates with the upper operating door lock seat 10 is located on the enclosure. Similarly, the lower zookeeper operating door 13 is connected to the enclosure via a lower operating door hinge 15. A lower operating door lock seat 16 is located on the side of the lower zookeeper operating door 13 away from the lower operating door hinge 15, and a lower operating door lock body 17 that cooperates with the lower operating door lock seat 16 is located on the enclosure. The upper-level feeder operation door 7 and the lower-level feeder operation door 13 are respectively equipped with an upper-level operation door observation window 8 and a lower-level operation door observation window 14, both of which are transparent observation windows.

[0037] The animal inlet / outlet assembly includes a circular animal inlet / outlet 1 located on the front top side of the enclosure and communicating with the upper independent section. The diameter of the circular animal inlet / outlet 1 is 15 centimeters. A circular movable door 2 is provided at the circular animal inlet / outlet 1 for closing or opening it. Figure 1 As shown, one side of the circular movable door 2 is connected to the side of the enclosure via a pivot 5, allowing the circular movable door 2 to rotate relative to the side of the enclosure. In this embodiment, the pivot 5 is a damping pivot with internal damping grease or friction pads. When the handler applies external force to rotate the circular movable door 2 to any position and then removes the force, the damping pivot provides sufficient holding torque, allowing the circular movable door 2 to overcome its own weight and slight vibrations, and stably remain in that position, thus achieving the function of hovering at any angle. The circular movable door 2 is provided with an upper locking mechanism 4, and the side of the enclosure is provided with a lower locking mechanism 6 that cooperates with the upper locking mechanism 4. The circular movable door 2 is also embedded with a movable door observation window 3, which is made of transparent material.

[0038] The temperature control assembly includes a thermometer 18 and an ice pack container 19 installed inside the chamber. The thermometer 18 is fixed to the inner wall of the chamber and is used to display the internal temperature in real time. The ice pack container 19 is a concave cavity with an ice pack container cover 20 at its top and a drain hole 21 at its bottom for draining condensate. In addition, the bottom of the chamber has several drain holes (not shown in the figure) for draining accumulated water.

[0039] In this embodiment, the nest box is installed vertically on a tree trunk or the wall of the exhibit area, at a height of no less than 1 meter from the ground. At this time, the circular animal entrance / exit 1 is located on the upper front side of the box. The female animal enters the box through this circular animal entrance / exit 1. During the breeding season, the keeper can remove the detachable panel 12, connecting the upper and lower sections, allowing the female animal to freely enter the lower, more secluded space for nesting and giving birth.

[0040] When a cub health check is required, the zookeeper first observes through the lower operating door observation window 14 to confirm that the mother animal is located in the upper section. Then, holding the handle on the circular movable door 2, the zookeeper rotates the circular movable door 2 around the pivot 5 to cover and close the circular animal entrance / exit 1. The upper part 4 of the locking mechanism is then engaged with the lower part 6 of the locking mechanism to prevent the mother animal from escaping. Afterwards, the lower operating door lock body 17 is rotated to disengage from the lower operating door lock seat 16, opening the lower zookeeper operating door 13, allowing safe access to the cubs in the lower section. After the operation is complete, the lower zookeeper operating door 13 is closed, and the lower operating door lock body 17 is rotated in the opposite direction to lock the door. If ventilation is required by keeping the circular movable door 2 in a half-open position, the circular movable door 2 can be stably suspended at any angle because the pivot 5 is a damped pivot.

[0041] During hot seasons, when the temperature inside the enclosure reaches or exceeds 23.8°C as monitored by the thermometer 18, the keepers open the ice pack container cover 20, place pre-frozen ice packs into the ice pack container 19, and then close the cover 20. The melting ice packs absorb heat, lowering the temperature inside the enclosure. The resulting condensation drains through the ice pack container drain hole 21. The keepers regularly monitor the temperature using the thermometer 18 and replace the ice packs as needed.

[0042] Example 2: Nest box structure under horizontal installation method like Figure 2 As shown, the structure of this embodiment is basically the same as that of Embodiment 1, the difference being the installation direction. When site conditions (such as limited exhibition area height or special landscape requirements) are not suitable for vertical installation, the box can be rotated 90 degrees and placed or installed horizontally.

[0043] In this state, the original vertical upper and lower sections become horizontal front and rear sections. The circular animal entrance / exit 1 is located at one end of the enclosure. The upper-level caretaker operating door 7 and the lower-level caretaker operating door 13 are located on the sides of the enclosure. Although the spatial hierarchy changes during horizontal installation, the circular animal entrance / exit 1, the upper-level caretaker operating door 7, and the lower-level caretaker operating door 13 are independently configured. The functions of the detachable panel 12, the movable door observation window 3, the upper-level operating door observation window 8, the lower-level operating door observation window 14, the thermometer 18, and the ice pack container 19 remain unchanged. The structure and operation of the upper part 4 of the locking mechanism, the lower part 6 of the locking mechanism, the upper-level operating door lock seat 10, the upper-level operating door lock body 11, the lower-level operating door lock seat 16, and the lower-level operating door lock body 17 are also completely consistent with Embodiment 1. The operation process is basically the same as the vertical installation method. The caretaker can still confirm the animal's position through the observation window and use the circular movable door 2 and the detachable panel 12 to achieve safe control of the animal's activities. This installation method greatly expands the application scenarios of the present invention.

[0044] Example 3: Nest box structure in outdoor use like Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment, based on Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, adds an adaptive design for outdoor environments. The biomimetic nest box also includes a rainproof top cover, which is detachably installed on the top of the box. This rainproof top cover is slightly larger than the top surface of the box and has a certain angle of inclination or eaves structure, effectively blocking rainwater and preventing it from seeping into the interior through the circular animal inlet / outlet 1 or the box seams. Simultaneously, even if a small amount of rainwater is blown in by the wind or enters the box through other means, several pre-set drainage holes at the bottom of the box can quickly drain this accumulated water. This design ensures that the interior of the box remains dry in humid and rainy outdoor environments, providing a healthy and comfortable environment for the mother panda and her cubs, while also preventing the wooden box from rotting due to prolonged dampness, thus extending the lifespan of the equipment.

[0045] Example 4: Position Maintenance and Locking of Circular Movable Door 2 This embodiment further illustrates the cooperative use of the damping pivot and locking mechanism of the circular movable door 2. Since the pivot 5 is a damping pivot, when the zookeeper needs to keep the circular movable door 2 at a certain intermediate opening (e.g., half-open to increase ventilation but not fully expose the entrance / exit), they simply rotate the circular movable door 2 to the desired angle by hand and release it. The frictional torque generated inside the damping pivot balances the torque generated by the weight of the door panel, allowing the circular movable door 2 to remain stably suspended. When it is necessary to completely close and lock, the circular movable door 2 is rotated to the closed position, aligning and engaging the upper part 4 and lower part 6 of the locking mechanism, thus reliably locking the door and preventing animals from accidentally opening it from the inside or outside. When it is necessary to urgently isolate animals, the zookeeper can quickly rotate and lock the circular movable door 2; the operation is simple, safe, and reliable.

[0046] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A biomimetic nest box for raising red pandas in captivity, characterized in that, This includes the enclosure, partition assembly, zookeeper control door assembly, animal entrance / exit assembly, and temperature control assembly; The box is made of wood. The partition assembly includes a horizontal partition disposed inside the box, which divides the inner cavity of the box into two independent sections, upper and lower. The feeder operation door assembly includes an upper feeder operation door (7) and a lower feeder operation door (13) located on the side of the box. The upper feeder operation door (7) and the lower feeder operation door (13) correspond to two independent sections, upper and lower, respectively. The animal inlet / outlet assembly includes a circular animal inlet / outlet (1) located on the front side of the top of the box and connected to the upper independent section. A circular movable door (2) is provided at the circular animal inlet / outlet (1). The circular movable door (2) is used to close or open the animal inlet / outlet (1). The temperature control component includes a thermometer (18) and an ice pack container (19) installed inside the enclosure.

2. The biomimetic nest box for raising red pandas in captivity according to claim 1, characterized in that, The horizontal partition is divided into two halves along the center line, one half of which is a detachable panel (12), which is detachably connected to the box body.

3. The biomimetic nest box for captive red pandas according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the circular movable door (2), the upper-level feeder operation door (7), and the lower-level feeder operation door (13) is equipped with a transparent observation window.

4. A biomimetic nest box for captive red pandas according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the ice pack container (19) is provided with an ice pack container cover plate (20), and the bottom of the ice pack container (19) is provided with an ice pack container drain hole (21) for draining condensate.

5. A biomimetic nest box for captive red pandas according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the box is provided with several drainage holes for draining accumulated water.

6. A biomimetic nest box for raising red pandas in captivity according to claim 1, characterized in that, The biomimetic nest box also includes a rainproof top cover, which is detachably installed on the top of the box.

7. A biomimetic nest box for raising red pandas in captivity according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box is 55 cm long, 55 cm wide, and 100 cm high; the diameter of the circular animal inlet / outlet (1) is 15 cm; the dimensions of the upper and lower independent sections are both 55 cm × 55 cm × 50 cm.

8. A biomimetic nest box for raising red pandas in captivity according to claim 1, characterized in that, One side of the circular movable door (2) is connected to the side of the box body through a pivot (5). The circular movable door (2) can rotate relative to the side of the box body. The upper part (4) of the locking mechanism is provided on the circular movable door (2). The lower part (6) of the locking mechanism is provided on the side of the box body to cooperate with the upper part (4) of the locking mechanism.

9. A biomimetic nest box for raising red pandas in captivity according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper feeder operation door (7) is connected to the box body through the upper operation door hinge (9). An upper operation door lock seat (10) is provided on the side of the upper feeder operation door (7) away from the upper operation door hinge (9). An upper operation door lock body (11) that cooperates with the upper operation door lock seat (10) is provided on the box body (1). The lower-level feeder operation door (13) is connected to the box body through the lower-level operation door hinge (15). A lower-level operation door lock seat (16) is provided on the side of the lower-level feeder operation door (13) away from the lower-level operation door hinge (15). A lower-level operation door lock body (17) that cooperates with the lower-level operation door lock seat (16) is provided on the box body (1).

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