Evidence-based, yet entirely practical, this important new text builds upon the basics of neuroscience to describe the links between olfaction and animal behaviour, and the effects of odours in animal welfare. Animals use smells in a multitude of ways: to orientate themselves, to create social bonds, to recognise food, to initiate reproduction, and to avoid predators and imminent threats such as fire.
Starting from the scientific basis of olfaction and odour perception, the book covers pheromones and behavioural tests, before describing the role of olfaction in feeding behaviour, reproduction, disease detection, and animal housing. The book:
· is written in an evidence-based way, yet with an easy-to-understand style, making it accessible to non-experts
· focuses on animals managed by humans, i.e. farm, zoo, lab and companion species
· is illustrated by in-depth research examples of many different species
This is a captivating introduction to the world of smells, suitable for advanced students, researchers, and teachers of applied ethology, animal welfare and veterinary science.
About the author
Birte Nielsen is an applied ethologist currently working as Assistant Scientific Director at UFAW (Universities Federation for Animal Welfare) and their sister-charity HSA (Humane Slaughter Association). She has previously worked at the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA) in France and Aarhus University, Denmark. Her research has spanned the science of olfaction, studying the behavioural responses of rats to different smells, and feeding behaviour in ruminants. Birte has in-depth experience in experimental behaviour science on rats, growing pigs, dairy cows, broiler chickens and broiler breeders, and has been actively involved in work on horses, sows, laying hens and even ostriches.
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