Genetics and Behavior During Handling, Restraint, and Herding - Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals - page 133

relationship was obvious. Lanier and Grandin (2002) found that beef steers
with thicker, wider cannon bones exited a squeeze chute more slowly than
steers with thinner bones. Lighter breeds of sheep have stronger flocking
behavior and larger flight zones when confronted with threatening stimuli
( Hansen et al., 2001 ). In this study a stuffed lynx or bear on a trolley caused
a bigger reaction than a rain poncho on a trolley.
Another example of the physique

temperament relationship is seen in
highly prolific Chinese pigs. The sows have an abundance of fat and bear
many offspring. These animals are very placid and non-reactive, whereas
pigs carrying the porcine stress gene are slender, have low amounts of fat,
and are more reactive. Pictrain pigs and the Chinese breeds are extreme
examples of the relationship between temperament and body morphology.

Type and Temperament in Wild Herd Animals
Body size and shape of wild herd animals is also related to the temperament.
Highly reactive, delicate, lightweight antelope and deer survive in the wild
by fleeing quickly from predators. Heavy animals like cattle and bison sur-
vive by either attacking or fleeing. However, one of the heaviest herding
animals, the Cape buffalo, survives by attacking because it is too heavy to
flee. Fine-boned, defenseless animals such as antelope have the most
excitable temperaments. This is especially true if they live in environments
with many predators. Small species of antelope are hypervigilant and
equipped with large ears. This enables them to orient and localize faint
sounds of danger. Any change in the environment results in instant orienta-
tion and possible flight. Larger, heavier animals are more placid but can be
dangerous to handle in a confined space. They are more likely to attack if
handlers enter their flight zone. In handling facilities, the American bison is
one of the most dangerous animals. The first author has observed bison butt
a fence with their heads up to 20 times. Bison have also been known to evis-
cerate a horse with their upward curving horns. They appear to be intermedi-
ate in the flight/fight survival strategy. Bison will flee from danger, but being
fairly heavy, they are known to attack when unable to flee. In a variety of
hoofed animals, Morton et al. (1995) measured the stress hormone cortisol.
This research showed that large animals such as the Cape buffalo are less
stressed by capture and restraint compared to flighty antelope species such
as the nyala. When 18 different species of African animals were captured,
the Cape buffalo was the only species in which cortisol levels did not rise.

Coat Color and Temperament
Agouti is the natural color of wild rats. Instead of being solid, each individ-
ual hair has three bands of color. The typical Agouti color is a rich chestnut
with dark slate at the base of the hair. The genetics of Agouti are very