Description
Book SynopsisBehavior of Exotic Pets is the first book on the subject to be written by behavioral experts, all with a wealth of practical experience. Divided into species-specific chapters, the book explains the normal behavior for each group of animals, including reproduction, parenting, communication and social behavior.
Trade Review"In this guide to the behavior of various exotic pets, specific chapters address a species or group of species in detail and the final chapters are a concise overview of learning theory, behavioral pharmacology, and exotic pet welfare. This is a great reference for exotic animal practitioners wishing to learn more about the species-typical behaviors of their patients and methods to prevent and treat common behavior problems.This is a valuable addition to the library of any exotic animal veterinarian or any individual who is interested in the behavior of exotic pets. It is the first book of its kind written by behavior experts with experience treating exotic species." (
Doody's Book Review, 2011)
"For veterinary professionals, animal behaviorists, students, and those caring for animals in captivity, Tynes, an animal behavior consultant who previously practiced small and exotic animal medicine, compiles 20 chapters that discuss the behavior of 17 species and groups of exotic pets, including snakes, parrots, lizards, ferrets, rabbits, rats, gerbils, chinchillas, prairie dogs, South American camelids, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders. Veterinary specialists from the US, Argentina, the UK, and Canada address their normal behavior, including reproduction, parenting, diet, communication, and social behavior; environmental needs based on their behavior; and common problems and recommendations for management." (SciTech Book News, December 2010)
Table of ContentsContributors vii
Foreword ix
Acknowledgments xii
Dedication xiii
Chapter 1 Psittacines 1
Lynn M. Seibert and Wailani Sung
Chapter 2 Passerines 12
Wailani Sung
Chapter 3 Snakes 21
Heather Mohan-Gibbons and Paul Raiti
Chapter 4 Turtles, tortoises, and terrapins 33
Heather Mohan-Gibbons and Terry Norton
Chapter 5 Lizards 44
Paul M. Gibbons and Heather Mohan-Gibbons
Chapter 6 Ferrets 59
Megan J. Bulloch and Valarie V. Tynes
Chapter 7 Rabbits 69
Sharon L. Crowell-Davis
Chapter 8 Guinea pigs 78
YeunShin Lee
Chapter 9 The mouse 91
Naomi Latham
Chapter 10 Rats 104
Anne Fullerton Hanson and Manuel Berdoy
Chapter 11 Gerbils 117
A. Dawn Faircloth Parker and Valarie V. Tynes
Chapter 12 Hamsters 127
Julia Albright and Ricardo de Matos
Chapter 13 Chinchillas 138
Jennifer L. Sobie
Chapter 14 Prairie dogs 148
Debra M. Shier
Chapter 15 South American camelids 157
Marcelo Alfredo Aba, Carolina Bianchi, and Verónica Cavilla
Chapter 16 Hedgehogs 168
Valarie V. Tynes
Chapter 17 Sugar gliders 181
Jennifer L. Sobie
Chapter 18 From parrots to pigs to pythons: Universal principles and procedures of learning 190
Susan G. Friedman and Lore I. Haug
Chapter 19 Behavioral pharmacology in exotic pets 206
Lynne M. Seibert
Chapter 20 Welfare of exotic animals in captivity 215
Paul E. Honess and Sarah E. Wolfensohn
Index 225
