On biodiversity
POSTED BY: Niki2
UPDATED: Monday, September 13, 2010 18:16
VIEWED: 2859
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I'd hazard a guess and say that all the agitation of a distressed, oil covered bird suddenly registers as less important when "oh no! predator has me!"
Animals will initially struggle at first, but once they adjust to the concept of "predator holding me. not being eaten?" they seem to calm down.
I'm not sure why this would continue to be a calming influence even when the animals are then introduced to an unfamiliar environment, but perhaps the reaction to "predator!" and the associated relief of "not eaten" is just that strong.
I've noticed this myself, Frem.
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Hmm, interesting, and thank you, Byte for that additional bit of insight cause I think that just clicked.
I cannot tell you why, but they do NOT react to me like other humans, most (not all, but most) wildlife does not display a predator-reaction to me whatever, and it's ironic that you mention the rabbits cause we have a plethora of bunnies at site three who would, absolutely, let me touch them if I wanted to - but I am not gonna leave human scent marks on em and put them at risk that way.
In fact, I had to kind of encourage one to move along last night cause I was afraid of accidently steppin on him, he was followin me cause he's one of Fivvers progeny which knows damn well anything that might eat them won't come to close to me.
For the birds, they weren't in too bad shape, a lot of em, but they were all wired out, it's really hard to describe but I could tell their nervous system was all afire and there's like, a connection kinda thing goin on there, like feeding your own calm to them, and they start to wind down and settle, hard to put into words how it works, but the "calmed" birds had a much, MUCH higher survival rate than the ones I didn't get to.
Given what y'all have said about nutrition, if a similar situation comes up again, I might try feedin em if they're responsive to it - heaven knows the damn raccoons around here WISH I would, that still wigs people out, that they'll come up out of the blue and beg at me, which when I am on duty gets em exactly freaking nowhere, but one of em got me on the way to the car last weekend, so I went back in and got a ritz cracker and gave it to him, I'm such a sucker, and they know it.
He kinda gave me a snarky look for being so stingy too, but I didn't wanna encourage him too much, it was just that the sad-eye thing he was doin was just breakin me, smart lil creep.
Had a woodchuck come up from the docks last night to check me out too, he came up while I was punching Key5, took a couple good sniffs near my pants leg and ambled off into the bushes, guess he's just checkin out the neighborhood.
When I refer to the local wildlife as my auxilaries, the new residents think I am kiddin, but the older ones know better - just by watching their responses I can tell not only when someone is out and about, but even have a general idea of where.
Anyhows, thanks for the info - I'm also gonna round up and interrogate the only real Shaman I know if I can find him, cause he might know something useful too, provided we don't get into another spat again cause there's a serious personality clash there due to our inherent patronages being opposed.
-Frem
I do not serve the Blind God.
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http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FriendToAllLivingThings
*snicker*
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Frem, I'm well aware of your connection with animals, I love reading about it and it makes me smile. I wish I had it!
"Bandits" (as we call 'coons), however, will easily tame and come right up to ANYONE for goodies once they've learned they can get 'em. They're not stupid!
I warn you, if you fed that one, he may well "tell" the others...I swear, sometimes I can't understand how one will do something one day, then three more will do it the next!
The rabbits, however, were a surprise. You've mentioned it before and it surprised me then, but not very much since I already knew about you and animals. They are among THE most skittish of wild animals, but Jim's seen them when he runs (early-early morning) and they don't seem bothered by him, as long as he doesn't stop running. A couple of "run away" from him by running in exactly the same direction as he is! Rabbits, unlike bandits, are NOT smart!
As to birds...fluids. If you can get any fluids down them, it's much more helpful than food. If you can get any REEEELY fluid nutrients, that's even better, but they suffer from dehydration faster than anything, especially oiled birds. Also helps their systems flush out any toxins that made them sick. If you can get that down 'em, you give 'em tons more chance at survival. Food is secondary. If you can calm them enough to get fluids in, more power to you!
Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off 
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I think animals respond to some people better than others because such people have unconsiously or consciously understand the cues regarding the non verbal communication of an animal...much underestimated by many people.
Pheremones might also explain a lot. Perhaps you don't 'smell' like a predator, Frem.
I'm sure there are a lot of cues that animals, including ourselves, use when determining whether another is dangerous. Have you ever had that bad feeling about another person based on nothing in particular that turned out to be right? I'm pretty sure we can all, to one degree or another sense, danger in others. Animals can too. I'm sure ther eis a thesis to be written in there somehow.
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I have a feeling many HAVE been written, Magons, and I agree wholeheartedly. Just look at Cesar Millan!
Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bytemite:
I'd hazard a guess and say that all the agitation of a distressed, oil covered bird suddenly registers as less important when "oh no! predator has me!"
Animals will initially struggle at first, but once they adjust to the concept of "predator holding me. not being eaten?" they seem to calm down.
I'm not sure why this would continue to be a calming influence even when the animals are then introduced to an unfamiliar environment, but perhaps the reaction to "predator!" and the associated relief of "not eaten" is just that strong.
I've noticed this myself, Frem.
I think they have just given up the struggle at that stage. You hope that nature has provided some sort of sedative so that being eaten alive (as is the fate of many prey) isn't too painful.
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Oops, I think Magons nailed that one. Many captured animals "shut down" after their initial resistance, she's right.
Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off
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Quote:
Originally posted by Niki2:
Oops, I think Magons nailed that one. Many captured animals "shut down" after their initial resistance, she's right.
It's shock. All animals, including ourselves, can go into shock after or during trauma, and one of the symptoms is dissociation - that kind of blank staring withdrawal.
A lot of animals will die of shock when handled or put into an unknown situation.
Oh and we'll all be eating Soylent Green is the current trends continue...
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