Olfaction in Animal Behaviour and Welfare

About this book

Evidence-based, yet entirely practical, this important new text builds upon the basics of neuroscience to describe the links between olfaction and animal behaviour, and the effects of odours in animal welfare. Animals use smells in a multitude of ways: to orientate themselves, to create social bonds, to recognise food, to initiate reproduction, and to avoid predators and imminent threats such as fire.

Starting from the scientific basis of olfaction and odour perception, Olfaction in Animal Behaviour and Welfare covers pheromones and behavioural tests, before describing the role of olfaction in feeding behaviour, reproduction, disease detection, and animal housing. The book:
- is written in an evidence-based way, yet with an easy-to-understand style, making it accessible to non-experts
- focuses on animals managed by humans, i.e. farm, zoo, lab and companion species
- is illustrated by in-depth research examples of many different species

This is a captivating introduction to the world of smells, suitable for advanced students, researchers, and teachers of applied ethology, animal welfare and veterinary science.

Contents

Section 1: Setting the Scene
Chapter 1: The Nuts and Bolts of Olfaction
Chapter 2: Innateness and Learning in Olfactory Behaviour and Odour Perception
Chapter 3: Semiochemicals: Pheromones, Signature Mixtures and Behaviour
Chapter 4: Behavioural Tests of Olfaction
Chapter 5: Is There Such a Thing as a Bad Smell?

Section 2: The Role of Olfaction
Chapter 6: The Role of Olfaction in Feeding and Foraging
Chapter 7: The Role of Olfaction in Mate Selection and Reproductive Behaviour
Chapter 8: The Role of Olfaction in Maternal Care and Offspring Survival
Chapter 9: The Role of Olfaction in Disease Detection and Prevention
Chapter 10: The Role of Olfaction in Relation to Stress and Fear
Chapter 11: The Role of Olfaction in Animal Housing and as Enrichment

Section 3: Olfactory Behaviour
Chapter 12: Olfactory Behaviour in Farm Animals
Chapter 13: Olfactory Behaviour in Zoo Animals
Chapter 14: Olfactory Behaviour in Laboratory Animals
Chapter 15: Olfactory Behaviour in Companion Animals

Customer Reviews