Captive Animals and Anthropomorphism

A set of flashcards covering key concepts regarding captive animals, their behaviour, and the implications of anthropomorphism.

Captive Animals

Species kept in controlled environments such as farms, zoos, and households, displaying differences in health and behavior compared to wild animals.

Zoochosis

Abnormal stereotypical behaviors exhibited by animals in captivity, often a sign of stress.

Anthropomorphism

The attribution of human characteristics or behaviors to animals, objects, or deities, leading to misunderstandings of their true needs.

Natural behaviors

Behaviors that animals exhibit in their natural environment, essential for their welfare in captivity.

Stress behaviours in animals

Behaviours indicating stress, such as altered activity levels, breeding difficulties, and stereotypic behaviours like pacing.

Sensitivity

The ability of an organism to detect stimuli from its environment.

Stimulus

Anything that provokes a response in an animal, can be either internal or external.

Captive animal welfare

A consideration in animal care that focuses on creating a suitable living environment to promote natural behaviours.

Environmental enrichment

Providing conditions in captivity that replicate a natural environment to meet the behavioural and psychological needs of animals.

Behavioural observation in animals

The practice of monitoring animal behaviour to differentiate between normal and abnormal activities.