• The first book on zoo/captive animal behavior and how this applies to welfare. Despite growing evidence of the need to implement more suitable, naturalistic practices into zoo animal welfare, it still seems to be somewhat overlooked - this book will address this oversight.
• Includes specific detail and examples focusing on taxa, a huge factor in managing animals in zoos that has not previously been addressed in this way.
• Covers invertebrates as well as vertebrate species.
• Would be a recommended or core text on Zoo Biology courses, BScs in Animal Science, and Animal Welfare MScs, as well as an invaluable practitioner reference. A lot of students interested in animal behaviour are interested in zoos.
• Each chapter covers species-specific content include the following information: Ecology and natural history as relevant to the zoo, behaviour and welfare measures based on ecological knowledge, feeding ecology and nutritional management, mating systems and reproductive characteristics, enrichment and behavioural diversity.
• The chapters are consistently formatted for ease of information, with end of chapter summaries, boxes with selected enrichment devices or welfare assessment methods for assessing welfare state, and directed reading of peer reviewed and other reputable sources that help advance care.
• A final Part explores welfare assessment tools, quality of life, veterinary interventions and evidence-based approaches. It looks at ways to increase the value of zoo and aquarium animals by enhancing visitor interest and visitor behaviour change. Also, research needs for keepers and how to build evidence into a daily routine, as well as management of native species programmes and the future of zoo research.

"Zoo animals" as a population are a diverse array of species from all around the globe. When managed in captivity, it is important that key aspects of natural ecology are factored into animal care, as well as considerations relating to welfare, life history and behavioural needs. The Behavioural Biology of Zoo Animals is the first book on captive animal behaviour and how this applies to welfare.

The book enables all aspects of zoo husbandry and management (nutrition, enclosure design, handling and training, enrichment, population management) to be based on a sound knowledge of the species, its evolutionary history and its natural history. Chapters from expert authors cover a vast range of taxa, from primates and elephants to marine mammals and freshwater fish, to reptiles, birds and invertebrates. A final part looks to the future, considering animal health and wellbeing, the visitor experience and future visions for zoos and aquariums.

For on-the-ground practitioners as well as students of zoo biology, animal science and welfare, this book provides an explanation of key areas of behavioural biology that are important to fulfilling the aims of the modern zoo (conservation, education, research and recreation). It explains how evidence from the wild can be implemented into captive care to support the wider aims of the zoo, shedding light on the evidence-based approaches applied to zoo biology and animal management.

Chapter 3 is available to download Open Access on the [...] website under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

Aa Companion Website with additional resources is freely available for all at [...] and you can follow the book on Instagram at [...]