Behavior of Exotic Pets (eBook)

Valarie V. Tynes DVM, Dipl. ACVB, is an Animal Behavior Consultant based in Texas. She gained her Board Certification from the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 2003 following a three year residency at the University of California Davis. She previously practiced small and exotic animal medicine for almost 15 years before specializing. Valarie frequently speaks at veterinary continuing education courses and writes for several different veterinary journals. Her particular area of interest is exotic animals.

Contributors 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

"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)