Animal Behavior and Body Language
You come across an unfamiliar dog who shows you his teeth in what appears to be a smile and his ears are pinned back. What is this dog trying to tell you?
He is likely uncomfortable and needs space. Do not approach!
What is the primary sense for a cat and dog?
Smell!
Are empathy and sympathy the same?
No
What are the types of surgeries that prevent animals from having babies.
Spay and Neuter
You see a nest of baby bunnies without their mom, what should you do?
Leave them alone! Mom only visits the nest a couple of times a day.
Name two natural behaviors for cats.
Scratching
Climbing
Hiding
What is the color spectrum that cats see in?
Shades of green to blue.
Do bigger brains have more neurons?
No!
What is enrichment and which of the five freedoms does it help fulfill?
Freedom to express natural behavior
List three things that you can do to help local wildlife?
Pick up trash
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Leave them alone
Not feeding them
Not destroying habitats
etc...
A rabbit is hopping around and sits down then kicks out his feet towards you. How is this rabbit feeling?
Relaxed!
Why is it important that we give our lagomorph and rodent companions plenty to chew on?
Their teeth continue to grow and need to be gnawed down.
Why is reflection important?
Open answer!
How do we train our animal companions?
Positive reinforcement
Clicker Training
What do lagomorphs and rodents have in common?
Incisor teeth that grow indefinitely.
Don't loose teeth
Local wildlife
What is it called when the hair stands up on the back of an animal's neck/back. Give a reason that this might happen.
Hackles raised. Frightened, alert, etc.
How many degrees around the head can a rabbit see?
Between 340 - 360 degrees.
Name an example of a way you can practice mindfulness.
Open answer!
Demonstrate what you should do if an unfamiliar dog approaches you off-leash.
Become a tree!
Why are predators so important for the ecosystem?
They ensure that prey animals don't overpopulate which will stress plants and can lead to the spread of disease?
An animal is crouching down and turning away from you. How might they be feeling?
Defensive or fearful.
What is the name of the organ that snakes and cats have in common that helps them smell.
Jacobson's organ on the roof of their mouth.
Name one part of the brain that all mammals share.
Brain stem - Connect with the rest of the body
Cerebellum - Balance and motor skills
Cerebral Cortex - Thought and processing
Name two of the five freedoms and an example of each.
Freedom from hunger and thirst
Freedom from discomfort
Freedom from pain, injury and disease
Freedom to express normal behavior
Freedom from fear and distress
List whether the following animals are domestic, feral, wild, or tame:
A domesticated cat who has never seen a human
Black and white bunny
Cottontail rabbit
Snake living in a human's home.
House cat --> feral
Black and white bunny --> domestic
Cottontail rabbit --> wild
Snake living in a human's home --> tame