thejunglenook

[thejunglenook]

What does LIMA mean when it comes to finding the best trainer for you?

#dogs #ethology #zoology #dog training #dog trainer #animal behavior #science #LIMA #animal ethics

[thejunglenook]

#ethology #zoology #science #dog training #Dog trainer #Stem #animal behavior

[thejunglenook]

Whaaaat!?!? An Ethologist science based LIMA trainer actually standing up for *proper* prong collar use!?!

Yes. I'm 99% R+, but have been properly educated (& maintain ongoing training & education) in operant conditioning, classical conditioning, counter conditioning, and other training & behavioral modification methods.

🐶YES I will only use a training tool that I have first tried on myself at MAXIMUM stimulation.

🐶YES I use LIMA methodology and will exhaust / incorporate all other methods of R+, replacement reinforcement, & other B-mod methods before introducing / increaseing tools.

🐶 YES I train so that the tools are not needed long term. It is all about teaching the dog how to be set up for communication success! Think scaffolding on a building / sculpture. Eventually you want to see the finished piece in all it's glory. FADING TOOLS IS IMPORTANT!

🐶 ANY Training tools (be it flat collar, harness, martingale, vibration, prong, verbal cue, sign language, body language, food, leash, etc) should be used to promote healthy communication - not punishment or feed frustration - to both ends of the leash!

🐶 NOT every training tool is for every dog. The tool is not magic and I get a disturbing number of behavioral cases from humans who thought they could just slap a prong on their dog and "fix them". THIS IS WHY TRAINING TOOLS GET A BAD RAP!! 1) The dog didnt need fixing, they needed clarity of communication. 2) Now the uneducated but well meaning human made the issue 1000x worse and my job 1000x more difficult vs if they just sought professional help with their dog from the start.

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Personal snobbery:

💖@hermsprengerusa are the ONLY prong / necktech collars I'll use. Rounded tips. High quality strong metal that doesn't bend, warp, rust, or otherwise deteriorate into a DANGEROUS piece of trash. Dont cheap out on your gear. It isnt worth the risk.

*not sponsored but I should be*

💖A well fitting collar (regardless of type) and leather* leash makes a world of difference. Toss those retractable leashes and ill fitting collars in the rubbish where they belong!

* I prefer responsibly sourced leather b/c it is better on my hands, ages well & lasts FOREVER, doesn't give me rope burns, doesn't dry rot / deteriorate into micro plastics like vegan leather.

Check out my tiktoks or insta (InglenookAcademy) for more!!

#ethology #animal behavior #dog training #dog trainer #lima #zoology #cognitive science #science based trainer #animal behaviorist #behavioral modification #inglenook training academy #inglenook TA #prong collar #training tools #collars #dog collar #dogs

[thejunglenook]

I was not expecting the oxytocin that flooded my brain at this picture. As a super serious animal behaviorist, I now must make a Rose Tyler outfit for Ellemere.

Excuse me while I figure out what size denim jacket I need for the kitty. (Look out @arrows-for-pens )

"Wibbly-Wobbly, Timey-Wimey... Stuff."

#cat cosplay #cats #doctor who #not science #cosplay #for future reference #what is my life #Rose Tyler #Billie Piper #David Tennant #10 #10th Doctor

[thejunglenook]

Ummm yes. If you don't think Burma (white cheeked gibbon, female, @lincolnparkzoo) would look fab in this, you are kidding yourself.

(Joke friends, primates aren't pets. But I'm 100% incapable of ignoring things when someone sends me a gibbon related post)

Love,

Your Friendly Neighborhood Ethologist

FITTED TO WHOM

#gibbons #lpz #zoolife #primatology #primates #zoology #animal behavior #ethology #my photos #primates arent pets #animal welfare

[thejunglenook]

So funny thing with primates (especially apes) is that they "smile" in a number of ways. And it's way more nuanced than you think. (This is what happens when an intelligent social species relies heavily on non-vocal social cues).

1. The play face smile. Here we see the relaxed open mouth with a droopy lower lip exposing the bottom teeth. Often accompanied by low guttural chimp laughter. This face is both an invitation to play and a way for individuals to check in and make sure everyone is still having a good time while playing. You younger siblings out there know how "playing" with your elder brother/sister is all well and good until "it's Not Funny Anymore Cause That Really Hurt, Twin!!!" (No? Just me? Damn.)

2. Silent bared teeth display which can be an appeasement gesture / sign of submission as they try to avoid possible conflict. Tense mouth and at least partially exposed upper & lower teeth. This is kinda on a spectrum and go from something little like "hey that termite mound snack looks good, can I get in on that too?" all the way up to...

3. The Fear Grimace. It is what is sounds like. "I am afraid and I don't want to fight. I'm submitting. Please don't hurt me." Mouth may be somewhat open, lips are tense and retracted, and teeth very visible (possibly with some partial gum exposure). See the female below on the right who is fear grimacing at her screaming friend.

4. The scream. "I'm upset and I DO NOT LIKE THIS!!!!" Fight or flight is going down and screaming animal is in the thick of it. Lips are completely retracted, full teeth & gum exposure, and mouth is open in a loud scream vocalization. See the female on the Left in the above photo as she screams at something (/someone) off camera.

5. Neutral face. Talk about going from the highest high to the lowest low. This is a chill happy primate at a low arousal state. Casual relaxed face and eyes. Not challenging anyone, but not seeking out a particular grooming/play buddy either. Just watching the world go by for a bit.

This is just a general example of the gorgeously nuanced field of facial communication in primates. If I had to pick (without audio / video / context clues) I would say the bonobo in the OP is doing a silent bared teeth display begging for something towards shore (thus the extended hand) possibly edging more towards a fear grimace. They aren't exhibiting any overt aggression, but that by no means makes them safe to be around.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Love,

Your friendly neighborhood Ethologist / Primatologist

Sources:

Marina Davila-Ross, Goncalo Jesus, Jade Osborne, Kim A. Bard. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) Produce the Same Types of ‘Laugh Faces’ when They Emit Laughter and when They Are Silent. PLOS ONE, 2015; 10 (6): e0127337 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127337.

Parr LA, Waller BM. Understanding chimpanzee facial expression: insights into the evolution of communication. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2006;1(3):221-228. doi:10.1093/scan/nsl031.

Facial expression categorization by chimpanzees using standardized stimuli. https://europepmc.org/article/pmc/pmc2826112

Parr LA, Waller BM, Vick SJ, Bard KA. Classifying chimpanzee facial expressions using muscle action. Emotion. 2007;7(1):172-181. doi:10.1037/1528-3542.7.1.172

(Pardon the awkward formatting. Doing this on mobile and it's driving me up the wall. I'll fix later)

#primatology #primates #animal behavior #ethology #science! #science #science tumblr #biology #zoology #psychology #anthropology #chimpanzees #cognitive science #cognition #communication #fuck mobile

[thejunglenook]

Work out your rage and preserve our a healthy aquatic environment. It's a win win.

important psa

[thejunglenook]

When the kitty joins @arrows-for-pens , #RemyTheWorkingDogn and I on the sofa for some evening snuggles.

I love that she is getting braver around my wiggle butt every day.

[thejunglenook]

PC culture isn't killing Halloween or humor, you're just a vapid vacuous nonentity whose two remaining neurons can't garner enough energy to spark a singular remarkable thought. You aren't edgy for "insulting snowflakes". You're the human equivalent of finding dog feces on your shoe - unfortunately all too common with a nauseating effect that one doesnt wish to invite into their home.

Do better. It really isn't that difficult.

Photo by Jessica R Durling

#Halloween #cosplay #costume #culture is not a costume #happy Halloween #dont be a jerk #disability life #not animal related #but important #humour #soapbox

[thejunglenook]

So one of my tweets kinda blew up. :v

[thejunglenook]

Environment, not evolution, might underlie some human-ape differences

(Photo credit: Karen Huntt / Corbis, TIME.com “Babies Vs. Chimps...”)

Environment, not evolution, might underlie some human-ape differences (ScienceDaily, 15 July 2019)

Apes' abilities have been unfairly measured, throwing into doubt the assumed belief that human infants are superior to adult chimpanzees, according to a new study (published in Animal Cognition) by leaders in the field of ape cognition.

[Researchers] say it should come as no surprise that apes raised in institutions would not perform well compared with humans raised in western families, especially when tested with western cultural practices, for example, gestures such as pointing...

"Most studies, comparing apes with human children, for instance, have been poorly designed, with different relevant experiences given to each species, testing them at different ages in many cases, and then claiming to have found a difference in social cognition between humans and apes, but the species haven't been treated similarly before or during the tests.

"These studies suffer from the same type of prejudice that once existed in studies of human intelligence, which started from a biased position of assuming northern Europeans were innately more intelligent than southern Europeans. We argue the same type of bias is apparent in cross-species studies..."

The researchers say it's vital scientists realise that environmental experiences vary among humans (both between children and adults, and between people with different cultural experiences) and among apes (also from young to old, and between apes with different experiences). 

 "...To truly understand the abilities of each species, research needs to examine specific individual learning histories within specific ecological circumstances for both humans and for apes.

"We urge researchers to stop using fallacious research designs and reasoning in studies of comparative cognition." (full article)

Story Article:

University of Portsmouth. "Environment, not evolution, might underlie some human-ape differences." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 July 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190715094847.htm>. 

Journal Reference:

David A. Leavens, Kim A. Bard, William D. Hopkins. The mismeasure of ape social cognition. Animal Cognition, 2017; 22 (4): 487 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-017-1119-1

#Primatology #Zoology #Animal Behavior #Ethology #Science #Psychology #Animal Cognition #Animal Intelligence #Experimental Design #shots fired #this paper hits all of my buttons #social cognition #species comparison #apes #science news

[thejunglenook]

The Risk of Raw Diets

Homemade cat food diets could be risky (ScienceDaily)

(Photo via PerfectlyRawsome.com)

The study, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, is thought to be the first to examine homemade recipes for healthy adult cats. Researchers evaluated 114 recipes from online sources and books, written by nonveterinarians and veterinarians. Forty percent of the recipes did not provide any feeding instructions, and the remainder of them lacked detail or were unclear.

"Only 94 recipes provided enough information for computer nutritional analysis and of those none of them provided all the essential nutrients to meet the National Research Council's recommended allowances for adult cats," said lead author Jennifer Larsen, a veterinary nutritionist with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Recipes lacked nutrients regardless of the source or whether they were written by veterinarians, although those authored by veterinarians had fewer deficiencies in essential nutrients. Most recipes were lacking concentrations of three or more nutrients, with some lacking adequate amounts of up to 19 essential nutrients. Furthermore, many recipes had severe deficiencies, providing less than 50 percent of the recommend allowances of several essential nutrients including choline, iron, zinc, thiamin, vitamin E and manganese...

Seven percent of the recipes called for ingredients that are potentially toxic to cats, including garlic or garlic powder, onions and leeks. Researchers also found recipes that called for raw animal products without mentioning potential risks of bacterial contamination. Some recipes that included bones neglected to mention the importance of grinding them to prevent gastrointestinal tears....  

"Homemade diets are not necessarily better," said Larsen. "If you are going to use one, you have to make sure you do it safely and they should be balanced and appropriate for your individual cat."

Larsen said cat owners should not be afraid of commercial diets, but recommends cat owners who desire a homemade diet consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. They specialize in formulating homemade diets for pets. (FULL ARTICLE)

#cats #nutrition #science #biology #pets #animal care #pet care #raw diet

[thejunglenook]

Holy hominids I need these! (Literally gasped at the patas monkey. Ugh. I miss my babies!)

Absolutely beautiful hand-printed shirts by Bonehead Boutique on Etsy! I LOVE comparative anatomy 🖤 I asked them if they could make a listing for the primate skulls on a shirt, as that option wasn’t available, and they agreed right away! They took a couple of weeks to make and were well worth the wait. The primates have their scientific names above each skull, and the hominids’ are listed on the back of the shirt!

#vulture culture #bonehead boutique #comparative anatomy #physical anthropology #primatology #for future reference #for future me #for future shopping

[thejunglenook]

Hi, I'm 18 and currently choosing what degree I want to do. I really want to be a primatologist so any advise?

Please keep in mind that undergrad is for general foundation education both within and outside of your field of study! Learn all of the things and allow yourself the freedom to explore what you do (& don't) like! You'll refine your area of study as you proceed through school and various internships / jobs / experiences, but undergrad shouldn't be about locking you into the next +50years *right now*.

Disclaimer over.

If you're an aspiring Primatologist I'd personally recommend starting off with a Biology degree. You can also go the Psychology or Anthropology routes - I have friends who are lovely successful Primatologist from these paths - but in my undergrad experience the Biology coursework with added electives in Anth & Psych gave me a better foundation in experimental design, statistics, scientific writing, and just basic scientific understanding for the research I'm interested in. Anthropology and Psychology courses (at my school at least) were really all about humans. As the name Anthro should indeed imply. But with primates, and rarely other taxa like corvids, sprinkled in as a tiny piece of the puzzle at best... those fields weren't quite what I was looking for.

#primatology #Biology #Ethology #Anthropology #Psychology #Ask An Ethologist #ducks and hides from anthro & psych tumblr #but i needed more animals in my studies #advice #ask #ask me anything #also i love this gif #but hella complicated feelings about Jane Goodall #but thats for another post

[thejunglenook]

Google Doodle raises a cup of joe to Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge  (CNET)

You can thank Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge for making some eye-opening discoveries, including one that's an integral part of our lives 200 years later.

The German analytical chemist began conducting chemical experiments at a young age, identifying the pupil-dilating effects of belladonna when he accidentally splashed a drop of the toxic perennial, also known as deadly nightshade, into his eye.

But a stimulating, 1819 discovery is the reason Google will be celebrating Runge's 225th birthday Friday by way of an animated Doodle. For after Runge demonstrated his belladonna discovery to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, he was encouraged to analyze the chemical makeup of coffee beans, leading a few months later to the identification of caffeine as its active ingredient (cont).

In every late night study session, every early morning data collection, every time you go cross-eyed reviewing your code for errors or combing through the latest reviewer comments for a journal submission... caffeine is there. Raise your mug to a man whose contributions to Chemistry continue to fuel scientists across the centuries. (And whose belladonna mishaps clearly demonstrate the importance of proper PPE and lab safety!!)

#science #google doodle #caffeine #chemistry #coffee #practice safe science #Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge #science history

[thejunglenook]

“I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.” - Steve Irwin Happy #SteveIrwinDay. Today I rock my #khaki and celebrate the great #SteveIrwin. A man whose infectious passion for #wildlifeconservation and #education was a huge inspiration in pursuing my own career in #animalbehavior & #animalwelfare no matter what challenges have been thrown in my path.

#myhero #missingsteveirwin #womeninstem #womenofscience #primatologist #science #stem https://www.instagram.com/p/BqMqwf7DEav/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=w6lwy85hta0g

#science #Steve Irwin Day #animal behavior #primatology #women in stem #women in science #my photography #primates #chimpanzee #gibbon #snow monkey #macaque #monkey

[thejunglenook]

#not science related #but very important #vote #because science needs you