Exam 4 Flashcards
Why + how do reptiles use escape mechanisms?
Through their behavior, they do this in order to avoid detection
What are some escape mechanisms that reptiles use?
Immobility, olfactory masking, micro-habitat selection
What is aposematic defense behavior?
Using color in order to deter predators
What is ecdysis?
The process of shedding skin
What are some actions that may prompt stress hormones?
Change in habitat features No concealment location Unusual sensory cues Handling Group housing
Is captive enrichment good for reptiles?
No!
Should reptiles be trained?
No!
What type of enrichment should reptiles have?
The only enrichment that a reptile should have is finding live food
What are examples of scent communications seen in the Caressing the Tiger Video? What purpose did they serve?
- Spraying deposits to mark territory
- Scratch marks are visual and glands from paws
- Glands on face and tail –> used to mark territory
How do cats display aggression / avoid fights?
Body posture/intimidation (hissing, growling)
What are the friendly greetings of cats?
more subtle and fleeting - nose touch or body rubbing
How do cats learn to hunt?
In the wild: mother cat will bring live prey for young to learn
- learn to hunt/ stalk through play
What is high-rise syndrome? How do cats correct during a fall?
When cats in large/ tall apartments look out windows and fall out –> cats that fall further are usually hurt less. They have time to free fall and relax so that the impact is not as much
What are common behaviors between domestic cats and big cats? What are behavioral differences?
Most behaviors of domestic cats have a parallel in the wild.
- Cat mothers keep their young clean, refine predatory skill through play
- Always alert for cues that signify food or danger
- Same communal behavior as lion prides in grouped domesticated cats
What are adaptations the cat has made to live in groups?
There is a subtlety to cat communication when living in groups. Cooperative care by groups of females means that young will be more likely to survive.
Why is it that in the cat hunting behaviors are still selected for and in the dog, they are not (resulting in the average domesticated dog being an inefficient hunter)?
Non pedigree cats are not completely domesticated. Feral cats have to rely on their own hunting ability to feed themselves.
~ we domesticated cats with the idea that they would hunt rodents. Dogs don’t need to hunt on their own
–> Not as much selective breeding for cats
What is the monotony effect?
When cats get bored of food if they eat the same thing.
How is the monotony effect beneficial to the survival of cats?
This effect should reduce the probability that an unbalanced diet is taken because no two foods with markedly different flavors should contain the same nutritional deficiencies
What is neophobia?
Fear of new food items + when cats prefer food they’ve had previously
How is neophobia beneficial for the survival of cats?
The possibility of strong contrasts could indicate that the food is not safe to eat
Does nature or nurture have a more pronounced effect on food preferences for cats? Why is this important?
Nurture –> cats will develop taste for what their mother ate and what they are fed when they are young
Why would it be advantageous to feed cats a variety of foods?
Because it would ensure that they are having a variety of nutrients for a complete diet
Where was the cat first domesticated?
Ancient Egypt
Why were cats domesticated?
Domestication due to grain silos
- Abundant amount of grain attracted a large number of rodents