Encyclopedia of Animal Science Pond Bell

Encyclopedia Of Animal Science Pond Bell

Adaptation and Stress: Animal State of Being Stanley E. Curtis University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, U.S.A. INTRODUCTION Sound animal husbandry depends on application of scientific knowledge of many aspects of the biology of the animals we keep. Environmental aspects of animal care are based on application of principles of animal ecology in design, operation, troubleshooting, and correcting deficiencies. They are crucial to both economical animal production and responsible animal stewardship. ADAPTATION Any environment has factors that threaten to overwhelm its inhabitants. Animals are driven to adapt to their environments, and thereby remain fit. Adaptation is an animal’s adjustment to its environment, especially a nonideal one, so its life and species can continue. Realistic Expectations Animals sometimes fail to adapt; they experience stresses of various kinds. So they may feel…

Key Features

• In the face of stimuli, internal steady state is maintained with ordinary basal responses. State of being is
• Complete adaptation achieved with minor extraordinary response. Stimuli provoke adaptation. Fitness
• Sometimes, animal response to stimuli over time is
• Stimuli elicit some minor extraordinary response, but
• An animal’s extraordinary response over a long period