Bickert said when the zoo held a “howdy” period for the flamingos and the four got along instantly because birds find safety in numbers.
“Flamingos are used to large social groups, so they just tell the new guy, “This is my mate, my fish and my nest,’’ and they all get along,” she said.
Other animals have a hierarchy or tiered social status and the process may not be as quick or smooth.
Hatwood said wolves have a tiered system, and each wolf needs to know where they belong in the population.
This process often requires what humans usually consider fighting, but Hatwood said it is necessary for the animals to interact in this manner because they need to know where they belong.
Bickert said, the factors that affect the “howdy” period are species, age, background of where they came from, intelligence, what kind of social grouping they are familiar with and whether there is a female present in the group.
Hatwood said the barrier is removed when the animals show signs that they are ready to be moved into their exhibit, including smelling
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Talk of Arizona
21
January 2014