Despite the popularity of small exotic animal ownership, owners know surprisingly little about the science of these animals’ behaviour. This limited understanding of their true needs often results in poor husbandry practices such as many species being made to live in cages for years in social isolation. Whilst attention is often given to cleanliness of cages, emotional enrichment is typically ignored, causing long-term stress and even ill-health. Where unwanted behaviours occur, these are almost universally dealt with through the use of aversive therapy (such as punishment) and even force. Awareness that most exotic species respond well to training is relatively unknown and the promotion of positive reinforcement training is uncommon.

The Natural Animal Centre, concerned with this state of affairs, offers education to prospective Small Animal Behaviour Qualification (SABQ)(Exotics) graduates so that they can offer both vets and clients a service based on both scientifically and practically proven principles.

Currently it is possible to gain degrees in animal behavioural science at a number of universities in this country but few offer practical, hands-on behavioural study of many of these exotic species and also, many of them do not offer positions to students whose background is not of an academic nature. The Natural Animal Centre aims to bridge the gap between the academic institutions and small animal owners by offering a quality, scientifically and practically based qualification for those seeking to help exotics from a behavioural perspective.

Objectives of the SABQ (Exotics)

The prime objectives are for the first time in the UK to:
* give the exotic animal owning public and welfare organizations a choice in hiring qualified SABQ (Exotics)   behaviourists with a recognizable, trustworthy qualification;
* provide veterinary surgeons with the choice and security of referring behavioural problems in exotics to   appropriately qualified behavioural professionals;
* provide prospective SABQ(Exotics) behaviourists with a credible, valuable, scientifically-based
  accreditation which   would give them the knowledge and practical experience to offer professional
  behavioural advice to a paying client
* provide a structure for on-going CPD (Continuing Professional Development) to maintain the integrity of
  the SABQ (Exotics) in the market.

The complete course comprises 7 modules (16 days of lectures, assessments and practical study) held at the Natural Animal Centre as well as a section of assessments to be undertaken at home. Students are expected to supplement their study at the Natural Animal Centre with Required Reading over the course.

• Modules need to be completed in chronological order. Final commitment for the qualification need only be made on registering for Module 7 (which includes Final Assessments). The course is structured so that students who are either unsure or do not wish to follow it all the way to qualification, may still benefit from learning more about exotic animal behaviour.
• The cornerstone of the course lies in the student developing an appreciation of how these animals live in the wild and accordingly, to be able to offer them the best possible compromise in a domestic situation. This is of particular importance for those species still being captured in the wild for the pet trade as the enforced transition from a free-ranging life to a cage is markedly restrictive from the animal’s perspective.
• Below is a list of species studied in each module. In each case, the following topics will be discussed:
• * evolution of the species
  * social structure or solitary status
  * key behavioural needs in the wild
  * understanding body language
  * welfare indicators relating to captivity (stress, depression, stereotypy etc)
  * pathological fears and types of aggression
  * practical design of enclosures
  * environmental enrichment
  * habituation training, training for mental stimulation and counter-conditioning using positive reinforcement and/or clicker training
• In certain species, more specialised needs will be studied also. For example, in the case of tortoises, the student will be made aware of particular issues relating to reptiles (as opposed to mammals). Similarly, small animals that are nocturnal require specialised enrichment and these needs will be studied also.