Essential Animal Behavior provides a comprehensive introduction toall areas of the subject: from the genetic and neurobiologicalcontrol of behavior to the learning, development, and function ofbehavior in an evolutionary context. Social behaviour is alsocovered throughout the text. Written in a concise and engaging style, this new book: includes examples from both marine and terrestrial environmentsaround the world places current research alongside classic examples, and puts the study of animal behavior in an applied context,emphasizing the implications for animal welfare and animalconservation. Carefully designed to meet the needs of students coming to thesubject for the first time, the book includes the followingfeatures: key concept boxes Focus on boxes chapter summaries guided reading to aid revision and further study case studies and boxed examples that reinforce essentialpoints, and questions for discussion. This book is essential reading for degree-level studentsfollowing modular programs in biology, zoology, marine biology, andpsychology. An Instructor manual CD-ROM for this title is available. Pleasecontact our Higher Education team at ahref="mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]/afor more information.
Efforts to conserve wildlife populations and preserve biological diversity are often hampered by an inadequate understanding of animal behavior. How do animals react to gaps in forested lands, or to sport hunters? Do individual differences—in age, sex, size, past experience—affect how an animal reacts to a given situation? Differences in individual behavior may determine the success or failure of a conservation initiative, yet they are rarely considered when strategies and policies are developed. Animal Behavior and Wildlife Conservation explores how knowledge of animal behavior may help increase the effectiveness of conservation programs. The book brings together conservation biologists, wildlife managers, and academics from around the world to examine the importance of general principles, the role played by specific characteristics of different species, and the importance of considering the behavior of individuals and the strategies they adopt to maximize fitness. Each chapter begins by looking at the theoretical foundations of a topic, and follows with an exploration of its practical implications. A concluding chapter considers possible future contributions of research in animal behavior to wildlife conservation.
All students and researchers of behaviour – from those observing freely-behaving animals in the field to those conducting more controlled laboratory studies – face the problem of deciding what exactly to measure. Without a scientific framework on which to base them, however, such decisions are often unsystematic and inconsistent. Providing a clear and defined starting point for any behavioural study, this is the first book to make available a set of principles for how to study the organisation of behaviour and, in turn, for how to use those insights to select what to measure. The authors provide enough theory to allow the reader to understand the derivation of the principles, and draw on numerous examples to demonstrate clearly how the principles can be applied. By providing a systematic framework for selecting what behaviour to measure, the book lays the foundations for a more scientific approach for the study of behaviour.
Conceptual Breakthroughs in Ethology and Animal Behavior highlights, through concise summaries, the most important discoveries and scientific revolutions in animal behavior. These are assessed for their relative impact on the field and their significance to the forward motion of the science of animal behavior. Eighty short essays capture the moment when a new concept emerged or a publication signaled a paradigm shift. How the new understanding came about is explained, and any continuing controversy or scientific conversation on the issue is highlighted. Behavior is a rich and varied field, drawing on genetics, evolution, physiology, and ecology to inform its principles, and this book embraces the wealth of knowledge that comes from the unification of these fields around the study of animals in motion. The chronological organization of the essays makes this an excellent overview of the history of animal behavior, ethology, and behavioral ecology. The work includes such topics as Darwin's role in shaping the study of animal behavior, the logic of animal contests, cognition, empathy in animals, and animal personalities. Succinct accounts of new revelations about behavior through scientific investigation and scrutiny reveal the fascinating story of this field. Similar to Dr. John Avise's Contemporary Breakthroughs in Evolutionary Genetics, the work is structured into vignettes that describe the conceptual revolution and assess the impact of the conceptual change, with a score, which ranges from 1-10, providing an assessment of the impact of the new findings on contemporary science. - Features a lively, brisk writing style and brief entries to enable easy, enjoyable access to this essential information - Includes topics that cover the range of behavioral biology from mechanism to behavioral ecology - Can also be used as supplemental material for an undergraduate animal behavior course, or as the foundational text for an upper level or graduate discussion course in advanced animal behavior
In order to understand and manage animals in their natural or captive environments we must first understand why animals do what they do and recognize limitations in their ability to adapt to different environments. Drawing on the author's considerable experience in both teaching and research, this introductory-level textbook describes the basic principles underlying animal behavior and how those concepts can be used in managing the care of domestic and captive wild animals, covering four key themes: development of behavior, biological rhythms, social behavior and behavioral aspects of animal management. Extensively illustrated with many practical examples and over 150 photos and figures, the book will be essential reading for animal science and veterinary students.
The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors has been established for over twenty years and their experience and understanding of this new, and developing, science of ethology is the basis of the book. Experienced animal behaviour counsellors provide the most up-to-date account of the science of animal psychology for all pet owners, while providing a practical approach for all veterinarians who treat small animals. Dogs, cats and rabbits are the animals most commonly treated for behavioural problems and the book focuses on the problems that affect these companion animals. Exploring the psychology of a pet's relationship with its owner, and with each other, leading writers from Sarah Heath and Anne McBride to Inga MacKellar identify the problems all vets will be asked about and provide practical solutions to them. Bringing together a variety of expert opinions and the most up-to-date research The APBC Book of Companion Animal Behaviour will help resolve a cat's anti-social behaviour and explain why a dog acts like its wild wolf ancestors. Groundbreaking essays on problem behaviour look at how learning and emotions governs animal behaviour while outlining the best way to understand: The foundations of canine behaviour How pets and children interact Behaviour problems in domestic rabbits Rage Syndrome in dogs Problems specific to ageing pets. This guide compiles the insights and experience of authors at the forefront of this expanding science to provide expert and professional perspectives that will enhance the relationship between a pet and its owner. Pet behavior, whether dogs, cats or rabbits, is affected by their ethology (the science of animal behavior) while it is also important to understand how learning and emotional response can govern their actions. Animal experts propose solutions to problem behavior in ground-breaking essays, as well as providing guidance on the relationship between pets and children (including the arrival of a new baby), "rage" syndrome in dogs, how to rehabilitate rescue dogs and cats, plus advice on legal and welfare issues. The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors has been established for almost thirty years to study why pets act as they do. The APBC's experience and understanding of this new, and developing, science of ethology is the basis for this book. Experienced animal behaviour counsellors provide the most up-to-date account of the science of animal psychology in the relationship between a pet and its owner, while providing a practical approach for veterinarians who treat small animals. Dogs, cats and rabbits are the animals most commonly treated for behavioural problems and the book focuses on the problems that affect these companion animals. Exploring the psychology of a pet's relationship with its owner, and with each other, leading writers from Julie Bedford and Anne McBride to Inga MacKellar identify the problems all vets will be asked about and provide practical solutions to them. Groundbreaking essays on problem behaviour look at how learning and emotional response governs animal behaviour while outlining the best way to understand: The foundations of canine behaviour, How pets and children interact, How to rehabilitate rescue dogs and cats, Rage Syndrome in dogs Bringing together a variety of expert opinions and the most up-to-date research The APBC Book of Companion Animal Behaviour will help resolve a cat's anti-social behaviour and explain why a dog acts like its wild wolf ancestors.
"Animal Behavior: Concepts, Methods, and Applications, takes a conceptual approach that highlights the process of science and the real-world applications of animal behavior research"--
Contemporary, thought-provoking yet utterly practical, this book provides an introductory text covering the use and misuse of behavior tests applied to animals. By including illustrative examples from a variety of species, the book inspires the animal scientist to think about what a given behavioral test can be used for and how the results can be interpreted. This text includes: the dos and don'ts of running behavior tests and interpreting the results; many clear, simple illustrations which make the information readily accessible; down-to-earth, practical advice combined with a thorough, evidence-based approach; information on behavior tests for a whole range of species from companion, farm, zoo, laboratory and wild animals--all in in a succinct yet comprehensive text. This book is an essential item in the researcher's toolkit when embarking on and devising any animal behavior test and is valuable to students, established researchers, teachers and practitioners of applied ethology, animal welfare science, and veterinary science. Key Points: It introduces the use of animal behavior testing in a scientific (fact-based), but easy-to-understand manner, explaining the importance of a number of issues, such as ethical and practical considerations, when carrying out animal behavior tests In contrast to existing books on the subject, it includes examples from a variety of species, focusing on animals managed by humans, and it takes the approach of observed behavior of the animals tested, and not their neurological changes The format of the book motivates the reader to pick it up and to finish reading it because of its scientific, yet relaxed, fact-based writing style and numerous diagrams. It will not be an exhaustive list of all existing behavior tests, but will give illustrative examples to inspire further reading.
