Captive Animal Behaviour

Stereotypic Movements in Zoo Animals

Abnormal behaviour such as a stereotypic movement is very much a concern when it occurs in relation to animals held in captivity. From a behavioural standpoint, the behavioural and spatial requirements of nondomestic animals in captivity greatly depends on the species. For example, the behavioural requirements of many species appear relatively simple when compared with the requirements of a highly specialized carnivorous species such a large cat. It is often in predators or primates that one observes abnormal behaviours such as stereotypic movements that are uncommon or otherwise different than normally occurring by the species in its natural environment.