One of the many things animal keepers are tasked with aside from the expected poop scooping and wall scrubbing is operant conditioning (aka “animal training”). Nearly all the animals at the museum have a primary trainer who thinks of new behaviors they’d like that animal to learn, then builds a step-by-step program to shape that behavior, and ultimately implements that program over the course of days to months (depending on the complexity and the animal’s response) until we’re at aRead more
Search Results for: betty and jean
Rabbit joy!
The other day I was in the farmyard and observing our two rabbits, Betty and Jean. Occasionally, I will give them access to run around inside the whole barn where they are kept so they can get some exploring time before guests arrive. At this time, I see them hopping back and forth and sometimes they will jump in the air and twist. This behavior is associated with positivity and excitement. This behavior actually has a name and its calledRead more
Have you met the new rabbits?
Forgot to tell you all– our new rabbits are done with their quarantine period and have moved into the rabbit stall and yard in the farmyard. The black one is Betty, and the tan one is Jean. They are a bit skittish still, and we are working to get them accustomed to being picked up and not bolting away from us when we go in to clean. They aren’t related, but grew up together and will play with and chaseRead more
Presents for the Animals
A kind and thoughtful 5 year old– ANYA — asked her Birthday Party guests to buy gifts for the animals instead of for herself. THANKS ANYA!!! Many gifts arrived for the animals- from our Amazon Wish List. It was an exciting week for us as the present trickled in.Read more