Which item is listed as an abnormal behavior example?

• A. Whinnying
• B. Ground pawing
• C. Pushing
• D. Tail biting

Answer: (D)

Recognizing abnormal behaviors that signal welfare problems in animals. Abnormal behaviors are actions that aren’t part of normal, healthy patterns and often arise from stress, lack of enrichment, or health issues. Tail biting in pigs is a clear example because it is a repetitive, injurious action directed at the tails of other pigs, leading to wounds and infections and indicating underlying welfare concerns like overcrowding, poor environmental enrichment, or nutritional issues. It reflects distress rather than a normal, adaptive behavior. In contrast, whinnying is a vocalization that can be normal communication, ground pawing can be a typical exploratory or restless behavior, and pushing is a social interaction that isn’t inherently abnormal. So tail biting best exemplifies an abnormal behavior associated with compromised welfare.