PLAY with your lotl!

[Kerry1968]

I really enjoyed reading about Spyyk and his tank, thanks for the link!

 

[ianclick]

I believe it is called anthropomorphism. There is a science that helps prevent this, Called Ethology

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ethology is the study of animal behavior. It involves the objective study of animals and man from a biological aspect with emphasis on species specific behavior, its function and evolution. Another definition of ethology might be the study of an organism's reaction to its environment. Ethology as a science began in the early 1930's.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Animal behavior is of critical importance to the keeper, and behavioral awareness assists the keeper in doing a better job. The better you know the animals the better you can care for them.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The major difference between ethology and psychology, the study of human behavior, is that ethology avoids attributing human characteristics to the animal. We should not be such egotists as to imagine that only humans have evolved certain behavioral characteristics. Play activity, curiosity, fear and aggression are common to many animals as well as humans. To use ethology in managing and caring for animals you need to know certain basic tenets.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1) Typical behaviour: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2) Unconditional and Conditioned Reflexes: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]3) Instinct: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]4) Stimulus and Response: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]5[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]) Expressional Behaviour: and [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]6) Reproductive Behaviour:[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All this having been said If it makes a person happy and has no ill effects on the animal being kept, does it really matter if its Ethology, Psycology or anthropomorphism?[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I think not.
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[superfin]

No problem kerry

 

[erroneous1]

That is so cool. I've never had a lotl, but I've seen them around online and they look really cool. This would probably be the first non reptile I have.

 

[darkfaerie]

One of my four axolotls loves to sit in my hand whenever it's placed in the tank ( the other 3 just like to try to eat it!) I have plastic tubes for 'hiding' in, assorted plants, bubbly things, and am always looking out for new things and new food to make their lives as fulfilled as I can.

Maybe they don't have complex social structures, but they are sociable creatures (ever notice them pile up in a corner?), they're obviously aware of what goes on around them, both inside and outside the tank; enrichment of any sort is awesome for both the owner and the pet. And from what I've read on this forum since joining is that there are a lot of very lucky 'lotls with loving and caring owners.

It's all good!:happy:

 

[ZoeT94]

I did animal behaviour in college, so I learnt all about ethology and conditioning and stuff...

 

[elninca]

This is a really interesting thread My axolotl is really new to me, so she hasn't really formed any attachment to me (whether it be through thinking I'm a food source or thinking I'm her friend lol).
How did you guys get your axolotls to behave all friendly to you?

 

[mewsie]

How did you guys get your axolotls to behave all friendly to you?

Food, food, food. They love me because I am The Bringer Of The Worms.

They were all quite timid at first, and unsure of their new surroundings, but once I started feeding them real juicy earthworms, they almost instantly paid a lot more attention to me.

I am a great one for casually anthromorphosizing, but in reality I fully understand their association with me is mostly based on the fact I bring them food.

One thing that doesn't seem associated with food is music. Without doubt there are some frequencies that they seem to be attracted to. Scott and I are both musicians, and if we play the guitar to them, sometimes they'll be drawn to the side of the tank where the sound is coming to, in a different way to if we'd just been sat.

 

[elninca]

Thankyou for answering my question

 

[highclassrckstr]

For those insensitive pricks that really believe animals have no feelings or emotions- WHY EVEN BOTHER REPLYING? This post was obviously not meant for those of you who have no emotional connection to your pets. There are people on this planet who understand and interpret differently than y'all. Just because you believe one way DOES NOT MAKE IT TRUE. There is a plethora of information to support either position on the emotional capacity of any critter. You can't complain if you have intentionally chosen to overlook ALL of the information, or if you are lazy, grotesquely over-content and have done incomplete, if not little-to-no research.

Ta......