Stereotpyic behaviour in giraffes
- REDIRECT GiraffeGiraffa camelopardali
Stereotypic Behaviour
Many animals when kept in captivity, such as in zoos, display abnormal behaviours. Such unnatural behaviours are known as stereotypic behaviours (Jentz & Gull 1978). In particular, giraffes show distinct patterns of stereotypic behaviours when removed from their natural environment. Due to a subconscious response to suckle milk from their mother, something which many human reared giraffes, and other captive animals do not experience, giraffes resort instead to excessive tongue use on inanimate objects (Harrison et al 2001).
Treatment
Due to the obvious social and cultural discomfort associated with the addition of milk delivery devices, animal enclosures are often enriched with other stimulus, such as food and mental distractions (toys, scent markings etc). This operates as a distraction, removing the giraffe’s focus from its instinctual tendencies towards suckling, resulting in tongue lolling and licking of objects in close proximity.
References
Jentz, D.C and Gull A.B, 1978. Towards a definition of abnormal activity: stereotypic behaviours in captive primates. Mamm Ecol 12, 145-154. Harrison, J.C, George, Q.F. & Cronk, C.C (2001). Stereotypic behaviour in zoo animals. J. Zoo Sc. 23, 71-86.