Vocalization (Acoustical Signals) | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

In the symphony of the wild, animals communicate through a language of sounds. From the plaintive cries of hungry calves to the warning calls that echo through the wilderness, this exploration unveils the diverse and genetically influenced world of animal vocalization. Join us as we decipher the messages encoded in the calls of different species, shedding light on the intriguing ways they use sound to navigate their environment and connect with one another.

Purpose of Animal Sounds

• Feeding: Animals make sounds when hungry, looking for food, or hunting.
• Warning and Alarm: Sounds alert others about danger, followed by an "all-clear" signal after the threat is gone.
• Sexual Behavior: Animals use sounds during mating rituals and fights.
• Parent-Young Interaction: Sounds help babies connect with their parents, especially to get maternal care.
• Location and Group Movement: Some animals use echoes to locate objects and maintain group cohesion.

Variety of Sounds:

• Calves make a "bau" sound.
• Lambs produce a "bleat."
• Horses "kney."
• Puppies yelp or whine.
• Cocker dogs have a high-pitched yap.
• Rodents squeal.

Genetic Influence:

• Animal sounds are controlled by genes, following Mendelian laws of inheritance.

Types of Animal Calls

• Suckling Calls: Sounds made by young animals while nursing.
• Location Calls: Young animals use these to find their way.
• Nursing Calls: Mothers make specific sounds while nursing.
• Distress Calls: Sounds expressing fear or pain.
• Warning Calls: Adults use these to alert others.
• Sexual Songs: Males sing during courtship.

Body Posture in Animals

• Wild ungulates communicate through physical contact, using handling, biting, and pushing to manage and discipline their young.
• In dogs, an erect and rigid posture with a raised tail signals a threat, while tail wagging expresses pleasure. The reason behind tail wagging in sheep and dogs remains not fully understood.

Temperament and Emotional Behavior

• Tameness refers to the absence of conflict behavior, while wildness is the tendency to escape. Horses, dairy cattle, and house pets have closer bonds with humans than beef cattle and swine.
• The temperament of animals is crucial in handling and improving their productivity. The mother's temperament during childbirth influences neonatal mortality; highly emotional and restless sows may inadvertently harm their young.
• Domestication has lessened emotional reactions in animals, measured by factors like vagotonicity. Social stress tests, like separation from the mother or exposure to unfamiliar situations, help assess an animal's emotional state.

Tranquilization in Animals

• Tranquilization involves using sedative drugs to calm animals without inducing sleep. These drugs are used in various situations, such as wound treatment, grooming, castration, and prior to surgery.
• Tranquilizers aid in handling nervous or aggressive animals, facilitating their movement and reducing stress during activities like shipping.
• Chlorpromazine and similar drugs can quickly induce docility in aggressive dogs, while different tranquilizers affect horses in unique ways.

Controlling Climatic Stress

• Environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and air velocity impact animal health and production.
• Modifying these factors in adverse conditions is crucial for managing heat balance and ensuring the well-being of animals, preventing stress-related issues like shipping fever.

Ensuring Comfortable Conditions for Animals in Different Climates

Hot Environments

• In high temperatures, excess heat can be a problem if not dissipated by evaporation. Well-designed sheds with proper ventilation and strategically placed outside pens provide shade.
• To combat heat, animals are provided with cool drinking water, and showers that wet their skin enhance evaporative cooling.
• Increasing air movement through methods like using fans, wire fencing, and planting vegetation helps keep the environment comfortable.

Cold Climates

• Buildings are insulated in cold climates to conserve animal heat, and additional heat may be provided if necessary. Ventilation is controlled to reduce humidity, and good drainage prevents water accumulation.
• Proper orientation and design of buildings utilize solar radiation to the maximum. Outside pens are positioned to protect animals from cold winds and expose them to sunlight.

Overall Considerations

• For both hot and cold climates, maintaining ideal microclimatic conditions is crucial for animal well-being.
• In hot weather, focus is on reducing radiation heat by providing well-designed sheds, while in cold weather, insulation and controlled ventilation are key.
• Access to water, both for drinking and cooling, is essential in all climates.
• Strategic placement of pens, use of natural elements like hills, and thoughtful design contribute to creating a comfortable environment for animals.