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Foraging - a Scientific Perspective #1162810
08/18/11 10:37 AM
08/18/11 10:37 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,983
Denton, TX
ValkyrieMome Offline OP
Glideritis Anonymous
ValkyrieMome  Offline OP
Glideritis Anonymous

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,983
Denton, TX
I was reading a non-glider related article on the internet, here . It included a picture of a Mountain Pika - a very cute little rodent - foraging for food.

The article stated the following about the photograph:
Quote:
This mountain-dwelling pika is gathering food that will be stored for consumption during cold winter months. It's a hard task, yet studies show that rodents, given the choice, will opt to forage rather than eating the same food from a proffered dish.

"We like projects. Animals like their projects as well," said Balcombe. "Why do big cats pace in a zoo cage? It's not like they'll die if they don't. They do it because they're highly motivated to move around. Just because something is a survival behavior, a very serious thing that needs to be done, doesn't mean there's no reward. Because it's crucial, it's probably rewarding."


I am fascinated by this perspective. That an animal will chose to forage rather than take food offered in a bowl. Makes me really want to consider the whole glider/foraging thing some more!

Last edited by Gizmogirl; 08/18/11 10:50 AM. Reason: Added link - Gizmogirl

Alden
"Animals can communicate quite well. And they do. And generally speaking, they are ignored." Alice Walker


Mom to Valhalla; 6 cats; 1 macaw; 2 hedgehogs;
and very many great gliders!

(plus the 2 skin kids)
valkyriegliders.com

Kyrie, nothing will ever fill the hole you left in my heart.
Re: Foraging - a Scientific Perspective [Re: ValkyrieMome] #1162832
08/18/11 11:07 AM
08/18/11 11:07 AM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,454
South Africa
G
Gizmogirl Offline
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Gizmogirl  Offline
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G

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,454
South Africa
I just love to give my gliders as much exposure to foraging. They love it and I love it to watch them forage. smile Very interesting information indeed. Thanks for sharing.


Casper & Liezl
:grey:Gizzy, Boesman, Muchu, Kiamon, Sky & Boog:grey:
A glider's eyes have the power to speak a great language

RIP Sugar 2009 & Kaida 2013
Re: Foraging - a Scientific Perspective [Re: ValkyrieMome] #1162920
08/18/11 01:57 PM
08/18/11 01:57 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,228
USA
I
IowaMisty Offline
Glider Guardian
IowaMisty  Offline
Glider Guardian
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,228
USA
Thanks for sharing this, Alden. I love the idea of providing foraging opportunities for our suggies. It's what they do in the wild. They really seem to enjoy it and it gives them something to do to fight boredom. I just added several really neat foraging toys to our store site (see link in my signature). I especially love the 4-Way Forager and Bottom's Up Forager. They are very heavy-duty (made for big birds) & will last a very long time. We have an August special on Bucket with Bells too. We also make ball pits for our gliders out of cheap baskets from the dollar store & wiffle balls & other plastic toys. It's fun to put treats at the bottom & let the gliders dig around for them. That's a super cheap way to provide some foraging opportunities.

Misty

Last edited by IowaMisty; 08/18/11 01:58 PM.
Re: Foraging - a Scientific Perspective [Re: ValkyrieMome] #1162932
08/18/11 02:15 PM
08/18/11 02:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,983
Denton, TX
ValkyrieMome Offline OP
Glideritis Anonymous
ValkyrieMome  Offline OP
Glideritis Anonymous

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,983
Denton, TX
Misty -

About the ball pits. I've LONG noticed that my gliders love to hang around and burrow in them whether or not I put treats in them. They just LOVE their ball pits.

I wonder if it is stimulating to them, and amusing?

I just can't get over that thought - Animals *PREFER* to forage for their food rather than have it handed to them on a plate.

I just keep rolling that over and over in my head. The fact that it is crucial to their survival probably ensures that it is also rewarding.


Alden
"Animals can communicate quite well. And they do. And generally speaking, they are ignored." Alice Walker


Mom to Valhalla; 6 cats; 1 macaw; 2 hedgehogs;
and very many great gliders!

(plus the 2 skin kids)
valkyriegliders.com

Kyrie, nothing will ever fill the hole you left in my heart.
Re: Foraging - a Scientific Perspective [Re: ValkyrieMome] #1162940
08/18/11 02:25 PM
08/18/11 02:25 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 7,560
Long Island, NY
yiyo Offline
Serious Glideritis
yiyo  Offline
Serious Glideritis

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 7,560
Long Island, NY
My gliders are the opposite of foragers. I put their veggies and fruit all around the cage in foraging cups, wiffle balls, chests, skewered, hanging on strings, stuffed in straws, wrapped up in leaves, etc. And they seem to eat the most when I just leave it in the dish. Not sure why that is. Maybe they're just lazy? lol

Edit - I do, however, continue to put it all around the cage for them because I know how important it is to keep them entertained and interested in their food. And I want to encourage them to work a little bit for their food...

Last edited by yiyo; 08/18/11 02:55 PM.

Alyssa

"Moving on is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard."
Re: Foraging - a Scientific Perspective [Re: ValkyrieMome] #1162955
08/18/11 02:49 PM
08/18/11 02:49 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,228
USA
I
IowaMisty Offline
Glider Guardian
IowaMisty  Offline
Glider Guardian
I

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,228
USA
I'm sure every glider is different and maybe some just become too domesticated. But Alden, I agree.. ours love to play in their ball pits & we don't put treats in every time we offer them. When the gliders wake up & see something new in their cage to explore, you could swear it's Christmas morning for them. They go nuts! I think hiding their food a bit does tend to entertain them more. And especially if they're eating the same thing every night... it's good to find ways to make it more fun for them to find & eat it.

Misty


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