Exotic Pets Archives - Page 7 of 9

Dec 5 2015 | karol orzechowski

Birdsong and Volume: What Does a Loud Song Mean?

This study suggests that the volume of birdsong may be driven by size, health, and the ability to withstand social aggression from rivals. READ MORE

Nov 13 2015 | karol orzechowski

Seattle: A Shipping Hub For Exotic Animals

An in-depth investigative report shows that Seattle is one of the key ports for the exotic animal trade in the U.S. READ MORE

Sep 6 2015 | karol orzechowski

The Challenges of Keeping an Exotic Companion

Providing a suitable environment and adequate living conditions for exotic companions is a challenging endeavor, but here are some basic guidelines that can help. READ MORE

Mar 13 2015 | karol orzechowski

Study on Activity Pattern and Incidence of Stereotypic Behavior in Captive Tigers

This study from India looks at the housing of captive tigers at Nandankanan Zoological Park. It sought to evaluate the tigers' welfare conditions by recording measurements of their stereotypical behaviors, such as pacing and repetitive circling. The researchers looked at how 19 captive tigers spent their time living in the zoo, specifically seeing when circling and pacing was most pronounced, and evaluating their findings. The study shows that, even in habitats which are considered "enriched" or made to seem more naturalistic, tigers still exhibit sterotypies that indicate they are living in poor welfare conditions. READ MORE

Feb 24 2015 | karol orzechowski

Pet Virginia Opossums and Skunks

In this information article from the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, Cathy Johnson-Delaney profiles Virginia opossums and skunks as potential pets, outlining their physical characteristics and personalities, as well as explaining the unique challenges encountered when keeping them as companion animals. Minimal attention is paid to how humans might happen to have acquired such species as companions. The author instead focuses on how to care for opossums and skunks, with the paper geared towards vets who may have to work with these animals. READ MORE

Jan 1 2015 | karol orzechowski

Journey From Wilderness: Facing Dilemmas of Wild Animal Exhibits

In this prose-like journal article, Ken Kawata outlines the common history of zoos and circuses, and describes their relationship to the capture and trade of exotic species from Africa and elsewhere. He explains in detail how the trade and transport of animals for public exhibition has been made logistically easier over the years, and shows the evolution of animal exhibitions from relatively crude caged exhibits to more sophisticated displays attempting a more "natural" appearance. The piece encourages readers not to see zoos and circuses as cultural relics, but rather to understand how their present existence is situated historically. Though he recognizes that zoos and circuses are un-natural settings for animals, his opinion is generally pro-zoo and anti-animal rights, describing anti-zoo activism as "extremist." READ MORE