natural + atypical behaviour Flashcards
behaviour (def)
actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to internal or external stimuli
why should keepers study animal behaviour
- emotional wellbeing
- prevent / avoid injuries
- comfortable living
- understanding needs and wants of animals
- respond appropriately to animal behaviours
- understand social dynamics
- to recognise abnormal behaviour
what is important when studying animal behaviour?
identifying what is happening and why
anthropomorphism
the tendency for people to think of animals as behaving in human terms, or to attribute human characteristics to animals
natural behaviour
a behaviour an animal would typically exhibit in the wild, usually because that behaviour promotes biological functioning and survival
stereotypical behaviour (stereotypy)
repetitive behaviours that have no biological function and that would not be exhibited in the wild
examples of natural behaviours
- eating and drinking
- foraging / hunting
- sleeping
- social behaviours
- breeding and parenting
- communication
- dominance and submission
examples of atypical behaviours
- hyperactivity
- excessive inactivity
- over-agression
- overgrooming
- overeating or loss of appetite
- stereotypic behaviours
reasons for atypical behaviours
- wrong size or type of enclosure
- lack of enrichment or exercise
- incorrect diet
- stress
- wrong social mix
- badly treated / abused
enrichment
opportunities for animals to exhibit natural behaviour through physical, nutritional, social, sensory and cognitive enrichment
