Life is Prismatic: February 2012

Facts About Aggressive Animal Behavior

image via Wikipedia

Aggression is used by various animals to acquire resources such as food. Researchers on the African savannas commonly enjoy keeping track of which hyenas killed a wildebeest, which lions took the carcass from them (or vice versa), and which jackals and vultures competed to snatch a morsel before being chased away. These forms of animal battles create a spectacular scene to watch. Most creatures do not generally clash in this way. The wildebeest being beaten over didn't, in life, stage bloody battles with other wildebeest over which among them would graze a plot of grass.

Competition requires lots of energy, and many species seem to minimize such conflicts. In some animals there are postures of surrender that tame the aggressor of the like species. The monkey faces away, the wolf rolls over, and the assailant ceases. What does an attacker experience whose assault is stopped in this action? For many animals the creature potentially to be its closest competitor, to want the same foods or similar nest sites, is one of its species, in a few cases, its own partner. Research remarks that size variation in some species adds to the survival advantage. For example, a female osprey is larger than her mate; they gather fish of various sizes, which lowers rivalry between them, increasing their collective food supply.

It has been observed that parrots seem to enjoy having enemies. This could in a way, boost flock solidarity, prevent interbreeding between species, strengthen the pair bond, or hold other valuable function. In chickens, there is such a thing called "pecking orders," ethologists have observed these behavior in many flocks. This behavior is now identified as dominance hierarchies.

The notion of dominant and submissive animals has obtained a growing popularity in species in the same way as the idea that aggression is valuable as it helps a creature dominate.

In subsequent years the dominance hierarchy idea became more questionable, with a couple of scientists postulating if such hierarchies are genuine or merely a product of human perception. It is worth taking note that among wild flocks, chickens do not organize strict pecking orders as they do in poultry farms.

Attempting to Understand Animals and Their Emotions

Whether some animals experience emotions to a lesser or to a greater extent in intensity compared to humans could depend upon the type of emotion involved. Animals without doubt feel pity towards one another, sometimes even crossing beyond the species barrier, but it seems unlikely, although not impossible, that they feel emotions as complex or as intensely as human beings do. For example, it is questionable that the dolphins care about humans slaughtering one another as several humans care about the killing of dolphins by some humans. But this may only be owed to the fact they don't have similar access to information that mankind do. Perhaps they are aware and have principles of noninterference in human affairs. Perhaps they rightfully are neutral, or take a more farsighted view.

There are several emotions, on that humans may feel less intensely than several animals. Many people experienced the feeling, in some cases, that several animals appear to show happiness. One of the reasons for the popularity of observing birds is the pleasure of listening to birdsongs, which appear as joyful. As Julian Huxley, describing the courting ritual of herons twining their graceful necks together, wrote: "Of this I can only say that it seemed to bring such a pitch of emotion that I could have wished to be a heron that I might experience it."

The intensity of emotions in some animals is one recurring source of human envy. Emotional support animals are even valued in the medical and domestic environments. Joseph Wood Krutch states: "It is difficult to see how one can deny that the dog, apparently beside himself at the prospect of a walk with his master, is feeling a joy the intensity of which it is beyond our power to think much less to share. In the same manner his dejection can at least seem to be no less bottomless. Maybe the kind of thought of which we're capable dims both at the same time that it causes us less victims of either. Was any man, one wonders, ever as dejected as a lost dog? Probably certain of the animals can be both more elated and more utterly desolate than any man ever was."

On Cat Beds, Cat Poles, and Scratching Posts

A pet cat's needs include a special place for himself. It could be a box or basket with a cloth a cushion lining. Cats need privacy during their rest, so it should be located away from the activity center in your home. Occasionally, the cat will sleep on the assigned bed, but there are other areas preferred as well. A favorite spot is commonly an unmade bed. The unmade bed is attractive to cats because they enjoy nesting in blankets.

During winter, cats love to curl up. During summer, they love to sunbathe but sometimes they look for cool, secret places beneath bushes where they can sleep undisturbed for a long time. Whether your cat loves the indoors or outdoors, he should not be kept in the basement especially at night as this causes respiratory disorders and rheumatism. Aside from that, a cat can get sweet dreams just about anyplace he chances upon.

A kitten should be trained to know where the litter box is, but would not need so much explanation as to its purpose. Cats are clean by instinct, and not only wish to have a toilet away from their living quarters, but bury their waste matter, too. When the kittens know where the box is, they would use it.

Pet cats will also need a place to stretch and trim their claws. A house is filled possibilities for this purpose, like upholstery and carpets, but the idea is to guide his attention elsewhere. For this intent, a scratching post is needed. A split log placed horizontally on the floor is an ideal scratching post. The cat can scratch and stretch on it. It could also be vertically attached to a base very much like an indoor tree stump. A lot of pet owners make or buy scratching poles covered wrapped with carpeting, however some cat authorities do not advice this. They assert that the cat can't differentiate your carpeting on the scratching pole and floor carpet. Wrapping the pole with sisal rope is more recommended. The cat who goes outside will not necessarily confine his scratching activities to nature. It should be emphasized again that not all cats are offenders, but if you wish to have a picture perfect home interior, be cognizant of the fact that your cat does not come with a guarantee that he will always prefer to use the scratching post.

Cat Carriers to Bring a New Pet Cat Home

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Simply due to the fact you aren't a mom cat, you mustn't carry your kitten by its neck. You may position your hand lightly below his torso, keeping his legs safely together using your fingers, and allow one other hand to assist what's left by cupping its hind. It is possible to teach members of the family to handle your pet in the same manner.

The best way to take the new pet kitten home is in a little box (no lid, as it would frighten him). A pet carrier is a must when transporting a full-grown cat to your home. A cat carrier is a ventilated, confined box big adequate for your adult cat to turnabout inside. The handle of the carrier should be sturdy. A cat can go anywhere in this carrier and barely know he's been there since the outside is not so visible. It is perfect for traveling to and from the vet, the kennel or pet boarding place if needed, or for any form of travel. It is more ideal for you as the owner and possibly less likeable for the feline who does not enjoy confinement. This would keep the cat from meddling with the proper handling of the car by lodging its neck through the steering wheel or trying to ride in the driver's lap. In whatever case, it is the most dependable and most expedient way of transporting a cat from one point to another These pet carriers are for sale at pet shops in various shapes, sizes, materials, and prices.

If it is the new kitten's first ride in an automobile, it is reasonable that feelings of fear and separation anxiety is present. It is important to comfort the kitten or cat with your calm and gentle voice while softly stroking its back. It will help to alleviate some of the trauma of the unusual environment he is entering. Keep in mind that the cat has been separated from the familiarity of his past to now live with total strangers. No one likes being whisked away from protection of a family. But you will promptly win him over using your winsome means and a little warm milk.

© 2012 Athena Goodlight