Lecture Notes: Alligator Training and Behavioral Psychology

Presenter

• Dr. Sophie Rubin
  • Professor, Psychology Department, Grand Rapids Community College
  • Licensed psychologist and behavioral scientist

Location

• Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary
• With Peter Critchlow

Purpose of Training Animals

• Veterinary Purposes
  • Easier check-up and health inspection
• Animal Stimulation
  • Good mental stimulation
• Ease of Handling
  • Train animals to move indoors during winter without physical manipulation
• Public Education and Conservation
  • Example: Shedd Aquarium's dolphin shows
  • Increase public awareness and promote conservation

Key Concepts in Learning and Training

Learning

• Defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience
• Developed by B.F. Skinner (1950s-1960s)

Discriminative Stimulus (SD)

• Definition: A signal or cue indicating that reinforcement is forthcoming if the correct behavior is performed
• Example: Shaking a bucket to call alligators

Motivating Operations

• Deprivation vs. Satiation
  • Deprivation: Lack of something (e.g., food)
  • Satiation: Fullness of something (e.g., food)
  • Motivation required for behavior change

Reinforcement

• Definition: A consequence applied after a behavior that increases the future frequency of that behavior
• Types of Reinforcers
  • Primary Reinforcement: Satisfies biological needs (e.g., food, water)
  • Secondary (Conditioned) Reinforcement: Learned rewards (e.g., money, music)
  • Positive Reinforcement: Adding something to increase behavior
• Continuous vs. Intermittent Reinforcement
  • Continuous: Reward every time behavior is performed
  • Intermittent: Reward occasionally

Environmental Enrichment

• Adding novel stimuli to prevent boredom
• Example: Introducing a watermelon to the enclosure

Clicker Training

• Conditioned Reinforcer
  • Simple: Click followed by food
  • Generalized: Click followed by multiple rewards (e.g., treats, petting)

Alligator Information and Sanctuary

• Tyrion
  • Oldest alligator, previously kept in poor conditions
• Godzilla and Medusa
  • Demonstrations of up, down commands, and reinforcement

Sanctuary Background

• Founded by Peter Critchlow
• Started with pet alligators
• Now a larger rescue facility
• No breeding, buying, or selling

Alligator Characteristics

• Physical Features
  • Heavy skin, soft sides, smooth bottom
  • Three toenails on each foot
  • Specialized sensory dots on face
• Sensory Abilities
  • Highly sensitive ears and vibration sensors
• Teeth and Growth
  • 80 teeth, annual replacement
  • Lifespan of up to 100 years
  • Continuous growth

Special Considerations

• Alligators' environment impacts growth rate
• Importance of sunlight and outdoor exposure

Conclusion

• Training enhances caretaking and ease of handling
• Importance of sanctuary for long-term animal welfare