behavior
What Does “Happy” Look Like? Lara Joseph examines the prevalence of abnormal repetitive behaviors in captive exotics
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and the importance of providing alternative, individualized outlets for natural behaviors
pplying behavior analysis with of which can become health issues – exotics is my area of specialty, such as mutilation and other self-inand shaping more complex jurious behaviors (SIBs). Just as with decision-making skills and empowerother behaviors, the longer they ening these animals through choice is gage, the stronger they get, and the my passion. Over the years I have longer it will take to change them. seen numerous exotics displaying The scary part is once an animal repetitive behaviors such as rocking, learns them, they will revert to swaying, over preening, eating inedithem if, for any reason, the positive ble objects, excessive contact calling, reinforcers in a trained alternative swimming in repetitive patterns, and behavior cease. Being able to recogmore. These are behaviors I see regnize the small antecedents is essenularly in the world of companion tial so we know what they look like parrots, companion exotics, zoos, before they become well-practiced. and wildlife rehabilitation centers. Note that not all ARBs are unIn the video, Abnormal repetitive healthy. Some can be mild forms of behavior of a ring-tailed lemur, we stress relief. Many ARBs, can see that the animal appears to however, are more severe resort to the circling/jumping behavthan this, with physical and ior as a lack of being able to get to also mental implications, something. The placement of the and these are the focus of hands on the same cage bar each this article. time is a clear indication it has been When an uneducated well-practiced. In a second video, observer cannot identify Abnormal repetitive behavior with a the reinforcer, it is not unMoluccan Cockatoo, we see 20-yearcommon to hear an ARB old Rocky, who came to my training described as “functionless,” Photo © Dawn Graham center with this particular abnormal in addition to many other Goffins cockatoo Peanut was self-mutilating at the age of 5 years (inset); a training and repetitive behavior (ARB) over 12 common labels. If you are Photo © Dawn Graham behavior modification plan incorporating diet years ago. We can tell that the bereading this, you probably and enrichment was put in place, with enormous havior is very well practiced due to agree with me in saying improvements seen a year later (main photo) the consistent, slight sway of the that all behavior serves a head before each flip. Each flip is accompanied by the same scream. We purpose. If the action happens, maintains, or increases, it is serving a purhave several behavior modification plans in place, yet the behavior conpose for the animal. The key is finding that purpose. If we can do that, we tinues – although it isn't nearly as strong now as it was 12 years ago when can then begin to shape other actions to take their place. Many of these it would continue for three continuous hours. These days, it doesn't hapsubtle behaviors are just that, i.e. subtle and they do not seem to cause pen as often. When it does, it lasts about 10 seconds and we no longer any physical or mental harm. see it every day as we used to. (For more on Rocky, see photo on p.50 and I think it’s fair to say that most animals in our care have their choices A Cry for Attention, BARKS from the Guild, October 2014, pp.52-54.) restricted to some degree. For example, we have to limit options for their safety. Our companion cats and dogs are often confined to the four walls ARBs can either be subtle or very obvious. The untrained eye may not of our homes and the fences in our backyards. Exotics, both in the home see them, or if it does, understand their implications. Many ARBs are also and in educational organizations, are often restricted to cages within four subtle antecedents for a progression into more obvious behaviors, some walls. Many of them are undomesticated animals that have naturally Exotics, both in the home and in educational evolved to navigate miles of land or fly vast distances. These are animals organizations, are often restricted to cages within whose daily, fundamental challenges are restricted in our care. Lack of four walls. Many are undomesticated animals that choice is a primary reason why ARBs are so common in bears, primates, have naturally evolved to navigate miles of land and parrots. These are animals that are always on the move in the wild. or fly vast distances. These are animals whose Providing that amount of space in managed care is hard, though, and, quite frankly, unlikely to happen. In my opinion and experience, this is the daily, fundamental challenges are restricted in main reason ARBs are so prevalent in companion and educational exotic our care. Lack of choice is why ARBs are so animals. Other forms of stress can come from lack of space, being housed common in bears, primates, and parrots. with socially incompatible species, poor health, inappropriate diet, temperatures, and more. BARKS from the Guild/January 2019
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