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Environmental Husbandry Manual Click here for CONTENTS Page No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the author - For contact details see about the author |
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Individual Methods for
Enclosure Design
Lookout Ramp
The methods outlined in this section relate to features of enclosure construction and layout which may be used to enhance the living conditions of animals, including the use of shelter areas, vegetation, viewing platforms and climbing structures.
Lookout Ramp |
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| Method | A ramp formed from two tree trunks, from which cheetahs can see out of the enclosure, to Addax in an adjacent enclosure. | |
| Species | Cheetah. | |
| Purpose | To allow the animals to look outside the enclosure, utilising specialised visual adaptation to spot movement on the horizon, allowing the performance of natural behaviour. | |
| Pro | -- | |
| Con | -- | |
| Improvements | -- | |
| Comments | Visual receptors in cheetahs eyes are highly adapted to detecting movement on a horizontal plane. It is therefore important to give them the opportunity to look out across a wide area. In the wild, cheetahs will climb termite mounds to look out across the savannah to find prey or dangerous predators such as lions and hyenas. | |
| Frequency of Use | Constant. | |
| Ratings | Usefulness | 7 |
| Convenience | 6 | |
| Value For Money | 10 | |
| Range of Users | 10 | |
| Contributed By | Carnivore Section | |