HABITS OF WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY 



ants are far more to be feared than the timid wild ones. 

 Another remarkable fact connected with these vegetable- 

 feeding homed animals that have been bred in captivity 

 (not petted and handled) and reared by the parent is that 

 they are the wildest creatures in the world if anything is 

 attempted to be done with them in the shape of catching, 

 packing up, or moving them from one place to another. 



This may appear strange, but it is perfectly true, as 

 long experience has proved. The reason is this, the 

 animal, from the day of its birth, has been with its mother 

 and accustomed to see, daily, any number of persons, feed- 

 ing from their hands and appearing perfectly tame, but 

 the moment anything is attempted to be done with the 

 creature that is new to it, it takes fright, and dashes off, 

 rushing madly against hurdles, fences, or anything in its 

 way, frequently ending by breaking its neck or legs. In 

 this the animal exhibits all its natural wildness, because, 

 although it appeared to be perfectly tame and tame bred, 

 it had never been tamed or interfered with, whereas all 

 imported animals that have been caught, caged, and under- 

 gone a sea voyage are so completely tamed that but little 

 trouble is afterwards found in catching, packing, or moving 

 them from place to place. 



Most animals appear to live in fear of man, and much 

 mischief is done by alarming them. Many accidents occur 

 from animals being frightened. Elephants, horses, and 

 other animals are naturally timid, and, when alarmed, do 

 great mischief in their frantic attempts to get away from 

 that which alarmed them. One of the most important 

 things to be done is to prevent their being alarmed. 



To those accustomed to pass much time among 

 animals the influence of speaking to and kindly treating 

 them is so well known that it is unnecessary to say any- 

 thing upon this point, but to persons unacquainted with 



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