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Parrotsandrew

Crib-chewing Giraffe? 2nd January 2015

Crib-chewing Giraffe? 2nd January 2015
Parrotsandrew, 26 Jan 2015
    • Pertinax
      I think so. Giraffe and Okapi seem prone to this in Zoos. Possibly because in the wild they browse for much of their time- in Zoos real browsing time( not hay snatching) is limited to the periods when Foliage is supplied- maybe once or twice a day.
    • Nanook
      Yes, there has been a lot of research done on this, and it is thought to be a type of oral stereotypical behaviour. Over-grooming or hair chewing in both giraffe and okapi is also another well-known example.
      Lots of enrichment helps to keep those tongues occupied!
    • Pertinax
      I've seen the Okapi, at London in particular, engaged in obviously stereotyped behaviour of this type. They mouth and suck at a particular branch or gate post, or rub their mouths across a bar, for long periods of time.
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  • Category:
    Flamingo Land
    Uploaded By:
    Parrotsandrew
    Date:
    26 Jan 2015
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    Comment Count:
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