VMD 512: Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

DISTANCE AND SPACE

Distances and spaces are more important in terms of ethology of wild animals.

Distance

• Individual distance- it is the personal space or distance that an animal prefers between itself and other members of its own species.
• Social distance- it is the one which an animal maintains with other members of its social group. It provides cohesiveness to the group.
• Critical distance- if this is violated and if there is no place or route to escape, animal may threaten or attack the opposing individual.
• Flight distance- if it is violated bird or animal will run or move away.

Space

• Territory – this is a fixed area from which intruders are excluded by some combination of advertisement, threat or attack. Aggression may be revealed if territory is violated especially by the members of its own species.