Lecture on Alligator Training and Behavioral Concepts

Introduction

• Speaker: Dr. Sophie Rubin, professor of psychology at Grand Rapids Community College.
• Location: Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary.
• Focus: Demonstration of learning principles with alligators.

Purpose of Training Animals in Zoos and Aquariums

• Veterinary Purposes: Train animals to come voluntarily for health inspections.
• Stimulation: Provides good mental stimulation for animals.
• Ease of Management: Facilitates moving animals indoors for winter without physical handling.
• Public Education and Conservation: Through shows and interactions, like at Shedd Aquarium.

Key Concepts in Animal Training

Learning and Behavior

• Definition of Learning: A relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience, developed by B.F. Skinner.

Discriminative Stimulus (SD)

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

Motivating Operations

• States of Deprivation and Satiation:
  • Deprivation increases motivation (e.g., hunger).
  • Satiation decreases motivation (e.g., fullness).

Reinforcement

• Positive Reinforcement: Adding a consequence to increase the likelihood of a behavior.
• Types of Reinforcers:
  • Primary Reinforcers: Satisfy biological needs (e.g., food).
  • Secondary/Conditioned Reinforcers: Learnt (e.g., money, clickers).
• Reinforcement Schedules:
  • Continuous Reinforcement: Reward every time behavior is performed.
  • Intermittent Reinforcement: Reward given occasionally.

Environmental Enrichment

• Purpose: Prevent boredom by adding novel stimuli to enclosures.
• Example: Introducing watermelons to alligators' enclosure.

Clicker Training

• Clickers: Used as conditioned reinforcers to bridge the delay between behavior and reinforcement.
• Types of Conditioned Reinforcement:
  • Simple: Linked to one backup reinforcer.
  • Generalized: Linked to multiple reinforcers.

Demonstrations with Alligators

Individual Alligator Training

• Tyrion: Responds to specific cues for treats, demonstrating use of discriminative stimuli and positive reinforcement.
• Godzilla and Medusa: Trained to respond to commands like "up" and "down".

Long-Term Care and Behavioral Adjustments

• History: Started with one alligator; now have a sanctuary.
• Training for Seasonal Changes: Necessary due to Michigan winters.

Alligator Sensory and Physical Features

• Sensory Spots: Detect vibrations in water, aiding in prey capture.
• Teeth and Growth: Alligators replace teeth annually; never stop growing.
• Environmental Impact: Growth affected by sunlight exposure.

Conclusion

• Role of Sanctuary: Rescue and provide lifelong care.
• Public Interaction: Visitors can see alligators but no harmful entertainment like wrestling.
• Training and Rescue: Sanctuary staff train animal control officers for rescue operations.