Behavior of Exotic Pets

582 Pages·2010·7.072 MB·English

by  Valerie Tynes

Contents
Contributors
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Dedication
1 Psittacines
Introduction
Flock behavior
Flock hierarchy
Diet
Reproduction
Parental care
Vocal communication
Non-vocal communication
Diagnosis and treatment of common behavior problems of psittacine birds
Behavioral evaluation
General treatment considerations
Fears and phobias
Feather plucking and self-mutilation
Reproductive behavior problems
Aggression
Excessive vocalization
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
2 Passerines
Introduction
Colony activity
Flock behavior
Feeding behavior
Breeding behavior
Aggression
Communication
Behavior problems in passerine birds
Conclusion
References
3 Snakes
Introduction
History
Senses and communication
2
Husbandry
Handling
Locomotion
Ingestive behavior
Social behavior
Reproductive and maternal behavior
Behaviorial problems
Pain and pain management
Acknowledgment
References
4 Turtles, tortoises, and terrapins
History
Senses and communication
Husbandry
Locomotion
Ingestive behavior
Social behavior
Reproductive behavior
Common behavior problems
Pain and pain management
Enrichment and behavioral training
References
5 Lizards
Introduction
History
Senses and communication
Husbandry
Locomotion
Social behavior
Predator defense
Reproductive behavior
Maternal behavior and neonatal development
Ingestive behavior
Common behavior problems: Diagnosis and treatment
Acknowledgments
References
6 Ferrets
Natural history
Sensory systems
Body care
Locomotion
Social behavior
Housing
Reproductive behavior
3
Maternal behavior
Ingestive behavior
Elimination
Common behavior problems
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
7 Rabbits
Social organization of wild rabbits
Warrens
Sensory abilities and communication
Locomotor behavior
Intraspecies affiliative behavior
Reproduction and care and rearing of kittens
Ingestive behavior
Litterbox training and litterbox problems
Introducing unfamiliar rabbits
Human-directed aggression
Chewing and digging
Environmental enrichment
Acknowledgments
References
8 Guinea pigs
History
Natural history of wild cavies (Cavia aperea)
The domestic guinea pig
Senses and communication
Locomotion
Social behavior
Reproductive behavior
Maternal behavior
Ingestive behavior
Common behavior problems: Diagnosis and treatment
Handling and restraint
References
9 The mouse
Introduction
History of the mouse
Sensory biology
Activity and locomotor behavior
Body care
Ingestive behavior
Social behavior (and territoriality)
Reproductive behavior
4
Maternal behavior and mouse development
Lifespan and death under natural conditions
Using house mouse biology and behavior to inform housing and husbandry for pet mice
Handling
Common behavioral problems
References
10 Rats
History
Behavior of wild rats
Senses
Communication
Body care
Locomotion
Social behavior
Reproductive behavior
Maternal behavior
Ingestive behavior
Gnawing
Common behavior problems: Diagnosis and treatment
Handling
References
11 Gerbils
Introduction
Taxonomy
Appearance and physical characteristics
Origin
Circadian activity rhythms and life span
Behavior of wild ancestors
Senses and communication
Body care
Locomotion
Social behavior
Reproductive behavior
Parental behavior and pup development
Ingestive behavior
Housing and enrichment
Common behavior problems
Proper handling and restraint
Summary
Acknowledgments
References
12 Hamsters
Introduction
Senses and communication
5
Body care and housing
Behavioral thermoregulation
Social behavior
Reproductive behavior
Ingestive behavior
Maternal behavior
Common behavior problems
References
13 Chinchillas
Natural history of the chinchilla
Domestication of the chinchilla
Sensory capabilities and communication
Body care
Reproductive behavior
Parental behavior and neonatal development
Social behavior
Ingestive behavior
Husbandry and care of chinchillas
Enrichment
Handling
Counterconditioning avoidance or fear reactions
References
14 Prairie dogs
Natural history
Senses and communication
Body care
Locomotion
Social behavior
Reproductive behavior
Maternal behavior
Ingestive behavior
Neutering male prairie dogs
Common behavior problems: Diagnosis and treatment
Acknowledgments
References
15 South American camelids
The Camelidae family: Origin
Domestication
Taxonomy
Importance to man
Habitat
Camelid social activity
Communication
Body care in SACs
6
Reproductive behavior
Maternal behavior
Social organization and behavior
Locomotion
Feeding behavior
Handling and restraint
Acknowledgments
References
16 Hedgehogs
History
Senses and communication
Ingestive behavior
Elimination behavior
Body care
Self-anointing
Hibernation and nest-building behavior
Locomotion
Defensive behavior
Social behavior
Housing
Reproductive behavior
Maternal behavior
Common behavior problems
Handling
Acknowledgments
References
17 Sugar gliders
The sugar glider
Out of Australia
Social behavior
Communication
Introductions
Activity patterns
Torpor
Locomotion
Reproduction, development, and care of young
Development
Mating and care of young
Husbandry and care
Acknowledgments
References
18 From parrots to pigs to pythons: Universal principles and procedures of
learning
Introduction
7
How animals learn
Operant behavior-change procedures
Functional assessment
Changing behavior with antecedent strategies
Decreasing behavior with consequences
Increasing behavior with consequences
A matter of ethics: Effectiveness is not enough
Conclusion
References
19 Behavioral pharmacology in exotic pets
Neurotransmitters and behavior
Major drug classes with relevance in veterinary behavior
Conclusions
References
20 Welfare of exotic animals in captivity
Introduction
Welfare: What should we be achieving for animals held in captivity?
Implications of context
Sourcing and transportation
Planning a welfare strategy
Evolutionary considerations
Physiology
Sociality
Behavior
Assessment of welfare
Conclusion
References
Index
8
9
This edition first published 2010
© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007. Blackwell’s publishing
programme has been merged with Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical, and Medical business to form Wiley-
Blackwell.
Registered office
John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, United
Kingdom
Editorial offices
9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, United Kingdom
2121 State Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014-8300, USA
For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services and for information about how to apply for
permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-
blackwell.
The right of the author to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted,
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as
permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the
publisher.
Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not
be available in electronic books.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand
names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned
in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the
subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering
professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent
professional should be sought.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Behavior of exotic pets / edited by Valarie V. Tynes.
p. ; cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8138-0078-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Exotic animals–Behavior. 2. Exotic animals—Diseases—
Diagnosis. 3. Exotic animals—Diseases—Treatment. 4. Wildlife diseases. 5. Pet medicine. 6. Wild animals as
pets.
I. Tynes, Valarie V.
[DNLM: 1. Animals, Domestic—psychology. 2. Behavior, Animal. 3. Mental Disorders—veterinary. SF
756.7 B419 2010]
SF997.5.E95B44 2010
636.088′7—dc22
2010001845
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
1 2010
10