The motivation of non-nutritive sucking in calves, Bos taurus
Although non-nutritive sucking is common, the motivation is poorly understood. The motivation of non-nutritive sucking in dairy calves was examined by independently varying milk intake and prior opportunities for non-nutritive sucking and observing calves sucking at a non-functional teat. Small amounts of milk elicited non-nutritive sucking, suggesting a relatively inflexible response to the taste of […]
Is out of sight out of mind? The effects of resource cues on motivation in mink, Mustela vison
Measuring strength of preference is a powerful tool in welfare research. However, animals’ preferences in so-called demand experiments may be influenced by stimuli from the test resources (e.g. olfactory or visual cues), leading to motivations different from those of the `applied’ animals who are not so exposed. Resource cues could act as eliciting stimuli, enhancing […]
Behavioral restriction effects on activity motivation of a captive lion (Panthera leo persica)
It has been suggested that the locomotive needs of zoo animals are not always satisfied in captive conditions. However, these reasons for movement and locomotion differ among species. This study investigated the locomotive motivation of captive lions, which are regarded as having relatively low motivation to move compared to other zoo animals. Four Indian lions […]