Behavior of Exotic Pets

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.

"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)

• Contributors viiForeword ixAcknowledgments xiiDedication xiiiChapter 1 Psittacines 1Lynn M. Seibert and Wailani SungChapter 2 Passerines 12Wailani SungChapter 3 Snakes 21Heather Mohan-Gibbons and Paul RaitiChapter 4 Turtles, tortoises, and terrapins 33Heather Mohan-Gibbons and Terry NortonChapter 5 Lizards 44Paul M. Gibbons and Heather Mohan-GibbonsChapter 6 Ferrets 59Megan J. Bulloch and Valarie V. TynesChapter 7 Rabbits 69Sharon L. Crowell-DavisChapter 8 Guinea pigs 78YeunShin LeeChapter 9 The mouse 91Naomi LathamChapter 10 Rats 104Anne Fullerton Hanson and Manuel BerdoyChapter 11 Gerbils 117A. Dawn Faircloth Parker and Valarie V. TynesChapter 12 Hamsters 127Julia Albright and Ricardo de MatosChapter 13 Chinchillas 138Jennifer L. SobieChapter 14 Prairie dogs 148Debra M. ShierChapter 15 South American camelids 157Marcelo Alfredo Aba, Carolina Bianchi, and Verónica CavillaChapter 16 Hedgehogs 168Valarie V. TynesChapter 17 Sugar gliders 181 Jennifer L. SobieChapter 18 From parrots to pigs to pythons: Universal principles and procedures of learning 190Susan G. Friedman and Lore I. HaugChapter 19 Behavioral pharmacology in exotic pets 206Lynne M. SeibertChapter 20 Welfare of exotic animals in captivity 215Paul E. Honess and Sarah E. WolfensohnIndex 225