Behavior Of Exotic Pets

Behavior of Exotic Pets is the first book on the subject to be written by behavioral experts, all with a wealth of practical experience. Divided into species-specific chapters, the book explains the normal behavior for each group of animals, including reproduction, parenting, communication and social behavior. The book also addresses animals’ environmental needs based on their behavior to enable owners to provide better husbandry and avoid potential problems. Descriptions of common behavioral problems are included, with practical recommendations for their treatment or management.
This text is essential for any veterinary professional who would like to improve their knowledge of exotic animal behavior. It also serves as a valuable reference for animal behaviorists, exotic animal veterinarians, veterinary students, and anyone caring for these animals in captivity.
Key features:
The first and only book on exotic pet behavior written by behaviorists
Covers a wide range of exotic pet species
Discusses methods for treating and managing common behavioral problems
Offers practical advice on topics such as housing and handling of animals
Includes separate chapters on learning, welfare, and behavioral pharmacology

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.

"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.
Foreword.
Acknowledgments.
Dedication.
Chapter 1 Psittacines (Lynn M. Seibert and Wailani Sung).
Chapter 2 Passerines (Wailani Sung).
Chapter 3 Snakes (Heather Mohan-Gibbons and Paul Raiti).
Chapter 4 Turtles, tortoises, and terrapins (Heather Mohan-Gibbons and Terry Norton).
Chapter 5 Lizards (Paul M. Gibbons and Heather Mohan-Gibbons).
Chapter 6 Ferrets (Megan J. Bulloch and Valarie V. Tynes).
Chapter 7 Rabbits (Sharon L. Crowell-Davis).
Chapter 8 Guinea pigs (YeunShin Lee).
Chapter 9 The mouse (Naomi Latham).
Chapter 10 Rats (Anne Fullerton Hanson and Manuel Berdoy).
Chapter 11 Gerbils (A. Dawn Faircloth Parker and Valarie V. Tynes).
Chapter 12 Hamsters (Julia Albright and Ricardo de Matos).
Chapter 13 Chinchillas (Jennifer L. Sobie).
Chapter 14 Prairie dogs (Debra M. Shier).
Chapter 15 South American camelids (Marcelo Alfredo Aba, Carolina Bianchi, and Verónica Cavilla).
Chapter 16 Hedgehogs (Valarie V. Tynes).
Chapter 17 Sugar gliders (Jennifer L. Sobie).
Chapter 18 From parrots to pigs to pythons: Universal principles and procedures of learning (Susan G. Friedman and Lore I. Haug).
Chapter 19 Behavioral pharmacology in exotic pets (Lynne M. Seibert).
Chapter 20 Welfare of exotic animals in captivity (Paul E. Honess and Sarah E. Wolfensohn).
Index.