| Aberrant
Behavior Syndrome (ABS) with
John Mallon Welcome
back and thanks for tuning in…
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“ABS,
or Aberrant Behavior Syndrome, is one of the most unpleasant
topics relating to llamas and alpacas…”
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Well,
I guess we can’t put this off any longer; it’s time
to talk about one of the most unpleasant topics relating to
llamas and alpacas — Berserk Male Syndrome, or BMS. Actually, in
these politically correct times, the new term is ABS, or Aberrant
Behavior Syndrome, so as not to leave out the “ladies”
(and, yes, females do develop the behavior, although usually
to a lesser degree, as they are not typically the territorial
defenders that males are.) I want to be very clear about a
couple of things before we start.
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“I
am here to help prevent creating a monster in your own
back yard …”
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First,
I do not hold myself to be an “expert” on this topic;
in fact, I don’t know if there are any experts out there.
(If you are one, or know of one, I would sure like to spend
some time speaking with you…) I have dealt with berserkers
since the early 80’s, have had six or seven shipped here
to work with for extended periods of time, have encountered
dozens more in my travels, and have hundreds of calls referred
to me by ILA, zoos, veterinarians and private individuals,
so I think it’s pretty safe to say that I have had more
experience with them than most people have, but that doesn’t
make me an expert in my mind. I am not here to preach, but
to share the benefit of that considerable experience with
you, in order to help you to understand this often misunderstood
phenomenon, and to help prevent creating a monster in your
own back yard.
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“No
one has deliberately created a berserker…”
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Another
thing worth mentioning is this: to the best of my knowledge,
no one has ever deliberately created a berserker. Please read
that sentence again — it is important. The point is that
nobody wants a berserker, yet there are more and more of them
out there — how can this be? It is easy for me to understand
how this is, with all the talking an consulting I do about
it, but, for the average person, it seems incongruous that
people who don’t want berserkers are creating them. The
reason that these people are causing aberrant behavior to
show up more and more is that they don’t recognize, or
refuse to accept, the reality of the warning signs.
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“An
ABS animal will scream, spit, charge, attack, butt,
and lay on top of people. It is a llama or alpaca that can kill,
and it is incurable.”
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If
you’ve never encountered an ABS animal, you’ll find
it difficult to imagine one. It is an animal which will scream,
spit, charge, attack, bite, butt and lay on top of people
— it is a llama or alpaca that can kill. Now, I don’t mean
to frighten you new folks; this extreme form of the behavior
is relatively rare (but becoming more common — more about
this later) and is totally man-made. ABS llamas and alpacas are not born
that way, and it is not an heritable trait. It is also, (again,
to the best of my knowledge) incurable, irreversible —
not one documentable case of rehabilitation exists. Usually,
full-blown berserkers have to be put down. (Well, maybe I
do mean to frighten you a little…)
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“Most
of the animals that are labeled ‘berserk’
are simply spoiled ‘brats’
that have been ‘trained’
in an overly permissive manner and bribed with hand-fed
food treats…”
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I
should also mention that most of the animals that are labeled
“berserk” are not — they are simply spoiled,
disrespectful, bad-mannered, undisciplined “brats”
that have been “trained” in an overly permissive
manner and bribed with hand-fed food treats. I meet quite
a few of these guys every month at clinics and have no problem
dealing with them, seeing meaningful and permanent changes
in their attitudes within just a few minutes. Its simply a
matter of understanding the psychology of the prey animal,
and communicating to him in a way that he understands that
he is not allowed to push people around. Once he understands
that, he easily accepts it and is unlikely to regress, unless,
of course, his handler goes back to his old habits. (That’s
part of the beauty of the herd animal’s makeup —
his willingness to follow leadership unquestioningly…) On
average, I receive over a hundred calls a year on this topic,
and the conversations are remarkably similar. Someone has
had an unnerving experience with their “sweetest”
llama. “He’s always been very “friendly,”
they say, “coming up to us in the pasture, letting us
handle him all over, following us around the barnyard, giving
us kisses…visitors just love him and he gets lots of
attention, but this morning, as I was feeding, he ran up behind
me and chest-butted me, knocking me down! Out of the blue,
just like that!”
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“Initiating
physical contact is aggressive behavior in a prey species…”
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“Sweet”
and “friendly” are the most often used words I hear
when these animals are being described to me. Those of us
with no prior experience or understanding of prey animals
fall easily into this trap, because, in other animals, such
as dogs and cats (the predators we are used to), the behavior
would be “sweet” and “friendly”. Unfortunately,
prey animals are very different, and what is submissive behavior
in a predator (initiating physical contact, for instance)
is aggressive behavior in a herd-living prey species. Simply
brushing against a human without repercussions establishes
the animal’s dominance over the human, and this information
is then “filed away” for future reference (say,
when his testosterone starts to surge through his body and
mind). The subtlety of it all is what makes it so difficult
for us to comprehend. Kisses seem so harmless, benign, even,
that we just can’t seem to resist, and continue on that
fateful course convincing ourselves that “this really
doesn’t apply to me, or to this sweet little llama. How
could this lovable little thing turn bad…?”
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“If
you must supplement a baby, do it in a businesslike
manner…”
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For
years, it was believed that bottle-feeding babies, especially
males, was the cause of ABS. We know now that this is not
true; that it is the improper oversocialization that accompanies
the bottle-feeding, rather than the bottle itself. It’s
important to know the difference between the two. If you must
supplement a baby, do it in a businesslike manner, with no
talking, kissing, cooing or petting the animal. Sound easy?
It’s not, believe me. For one thing a baby llama or alpaca is the
cutest thing we’ve ever seen, and if it’s in trouble
and has to be helped (we are literally trying to save its
life), every instinct in our bodies cries out to comfort,
soothe, love and encourage this baby to live, so we kiss,
pet, etc., etc., thus planting a time bomb, set to go off
in about two years when the hormones begin to flow… Handling
babies from birth, in a businesslike manner, and starting
training early (in the first month or so) seems to be one
of the best things one can do to prevent aberrant behavior
in the future. It establishes parameters of acceptable behavior
during the most critical learning period in the llama’s
life.
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“Young
males living without another lama are at much higher
risk of becoming ABS adults…”
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Young
males living without conspecific companionship, that is, another
lama, are at much higher risk of becoming ABS adults, even
if never handled at all. The company of his own kind is crucial
to the llama or alpaca (and any other herd-oriented animal). I
am very worried about what the future holds. There are unscrupulous
breeders selling two and three day old babies, complete with
bottles, from local feed stores and Saturday night auctions.
After years of seeing fewer cases of ABS males (and females)
I fear that we may have a new wave coming, especially with
the proliferation of “pet” breeders and the much
awaited (and dreaded by some…) Disney movie.
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“ABS
is a strictly human-caused condition, Beware the ‘friendly’
baby…”
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I
don’t like having to talk or write about this topic,
but feel it is my obligation to do so, for the sake of the
llamas and alpacas, the owners, and the industry. Remember, ABS is NOT
hereditary, but it is a strictly human-caused condition, which
only humans can prevent. For you new buyers, beware the “friendly”
baby that is so irresistible… What,
exactly, is ABS (Aberrant Behavior Syndrome; formerly BMS,
or Berserk Male Syndrome?) Bearing in mind that I am a layman,
and as stressed, not an “expert”, but rather, someone
with forty years experience with prey animals and eighteen
years of full time involvement with llamas and alpacas specifically, particularly
relating to behavioral problems, I’ll give you my opinions
and perspectives, based upon that experience. Please understand
that there are lots of opinions out there, some based upon
very limited experience or knowledge — (sometimes a little
bit of knowledge can be a very dangerous thing…) Please
also keep in mind what I mentioned previously — most
of the animals that have been labeled “berserk”
or ABS are simply spoiled, undisciplined brats, and can be
brought around in a very short time with proper training.
Most of the spitting problems that develop (not necessarily
having anything to do with ABS) can be prevented by avoiding
the use of food treats in training, or hand-feeding grain
at any time. I know some of you don’t want to hear this,
but eighteen years and thousands of llamas and alpacas and
their handlers have proven this to be the case. I am trying
to do right, not to be right, in presenting this to you, for
the reason of hoping to protect as many llamas and alpacas (and people)
from having to experience this unfortunate situation firsthand
as I can.
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“ABS
results from an llama’s inability to differentiate
between human and llama, resulting in inappropriate
behavior toward people…”
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As
simply as I can explain it, ABS results from an llama’s
inability to differentiate between the species (human and
llama), resulting in inappropriate (that’s putting it
very mildly) behavior toward people. This is usually a result
of improper oversocialization of youngsters by humans, but
not limited to that cause. I have seen many llamas and alpacas
which had been born into, and raised in, a perfectly normal
herd situation, and not handled at all until after weaning,
develop ABS. In most cases, these animals were forced to live
without the company of other young llamas or alpacas, and
transferred their affections and associations to humans. I
have met many animals that have been sold as yearlings develop
the problem, as well. It appears that the greatest risk for
future ABS occurs very early in life, during the most critical
learning period of the animal’s life, those minutes and
hours and days immediately following birth. The potential
diminished with age, but is still very much there. Some typical
scenarios:
- A
compromised cria, requiring intensive care, including,
but not limited to, supplemental feeding. The irresistible
eyelashes and distressed humming of the newborn makes
it almost impossible to keep this place of business businesslike.
The snuggling and cooing and intense attention shown the
baby causes it to imprint on humans and understand that
there is no difference between itself and us. These are
the “friendly” babies that follow us around,
gurgling and humming, with tails flipped up over their
backs.
This is a submissive “I don’t want any trouble,
I’m just a baby” body posturing displayed to
other llamas or alpacas to avoid trouble. The baby, then, is treating
us as if we were another llama; he doesn’t mind us
handling him all over, he shows no natural fear. The problem
arises when he reaches puberty and the hormones start
to run his life (remember being, or raising, a teenager?)
The male, being the designated territorial defender, then
attacks his human handlers when they enter his paddock
(territory) to drive them out, just as he would any other
llama or alpaca on “his turf”.
-
A
youngster sold soon after weaning to a child, who wants
a playmate, an equal, a living, breathing, Disney-like
“pet”.
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Compromised
crias which have to spend several days at the veterinary
clinic, often being cuddled by the veterinary assistants.
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Petting
zoo “graduates.” Petting zoos probably produce
more ABS males than all other factors combined. The constant,
intense physical interaction with people and hand-fed
“treats” is almost guaranteed to produce dangerous
adults.
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Any
cria growing up without the company of peers (animals
his size and age and species).
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Youngsters
of any age that are over socialized — many “PR”
llamas or alpacas “suddenly” develop behaviors. These may
include llamas or alpacas that are used as children’s birthday
party attractions, county fair displays and other situations
which there is a lot of direct physical interaction with
people. There is an abnormally high incidence of the “he
was our very best “PR” llama; Why, he’d
let kids climb all over him and get kisses all day.”
Warning
signs:
- The
young llama or alpaca that follows people around, seemingly preferring
their company to that of other llamas or alpacas.
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The
llama or alpaca that does not object to being handled (this does
NOT apply to those animal which have been PROPERLY desensitized
at birth) by people.
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The
older llama or alpaca that runs to a fence to “greet”
people, with head lowered (this is actually an attack,
stopped only by the fence), usually snorting, “clucking”
or “honking”. This llama or alpaca may or may not spit
at the “intruder” across the fence.
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The
llama or alpaca which refuses to move out of the way of its handler,
blocking his way, lowering his ears and raising his head,
perhaps clucking, at the “intruder.”
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The
llama or alpaca that “casually” brushed against people
in his proximity. This is the llama’s way of establishing
himself in the social hierarchy of the group or herd.
Having been allowed to brush against us, it is now clear
in the llama’s mind that he is superior to us in
the social order, and may exercise his options (spitting,
bumping, ramming, biting, etc.) against us at any time
in the future. Taking that a bit farther is the llama or alpaca
who “bumps” his handler, usually the wife (smaller
in stature) when her back is turned to him, most often
when she is bending over to pick something up.
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The
llama or alpaca that approaches with tall curled up and over his
back, sometimes accompanied by the “submissive crouch”.
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“Gurgling”
to people.
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“Lipping”
clothes, shoelaces — a prelude to biting.
Let’s
finish up this discussion on ABS (Aberrant Behavior Syndrome)
with some tips on prevention. It is crucial that we recognize
the fact that this is a learned (taught) human-caused condition
which is totally preventable and equally incurable. It is
up to us; some llamas and alpacas seem to be somewhat predisposed
toward the syndrome due to an unusually low fear response.
These babies, which we are naturally drawn to, can very easily
be pushed “over the edge” with very little interaction
with people, so be careful with these cuties….
- Do
NOT over-cuddle llamas and alpacas — it is a simple as that.
Llamas are not psychologically adapted to being “pets”
in the sense that dogs and cats (predators) are. As difficult
as this may be, it is nothing compared to hearing that
your favorite llama or alpaca has to be put down, a very strong
possibility in the future.
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If
your llama or alpaca has started to exhibit the early warning signs
(and they can be very subtle), keep his contact with humans
to an absolute minimum. Introducing him to a herd of peers,
or slightly older llamas or alpacas, will help him to develop appropriate
social skills (think “boot camp”.) If you don’t
have such a group available, board him someone who does
— is may very well save his life.
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Whenever
the youngster approaches you with his tail flipped up
over his back, ignore him (it sounds easier than it is…)
Better yet, startle him by making a big noise and movement
toward him. You have to make his llama-like interactions
with you a little unpleasant in order to dissuade him
from more of the same. This is known as “nipping
it in the bud”.
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Gelding:
While some current wisdom advocates waiting until fighting
teeth have erupted before gelding in order to avoid abnormalities
in bone growth (tall, stretchy, post-legged adults) and
“breaking down” of fetlocks/pastern, I would
prefer to have an animal a bit down on his pasterns at
age ten or twelve than to have to put him down at age
two-and-a-half or three.
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Give
strict instructions to employees, visitors, family members,
and anyone else who may come in frequent contact with
him to comply with your “hands-off” policy.
You must be ruthless about his — most people cannot
possibly believe that such a little sweetie could become
a life-threatening adult.
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Make
the llama or alpaca move out of your way. If you enter a pen or
corral and a llama or alpaca blocks your way, don’t go around
him to be “polite”; go through him, using a
good firm bump of your knee to his ribcage if he is standing
broadside to you, or a “goose” of his lower
leg if he is standing otherwise. This is language the
llama or alpaca can understand, how they communicate with one another
— he doesn’t take it personally and won’t
hold it against you, really.
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Do
not allow the llama or alpaca to invade your personal space for
any longer than the one second so it takes for a nose-to-nose
“how do you do.” No nuzzling! Although, to us
humans, this seems a very sweet and friendly thing for
a llama or alpaca to do, it is actually an aggressive act on his
part, “testing the waters” to ascertain his
position in the social order. As the more dominant “animal”
in the group, it is our prerogative to enter his personal
space, but he is never allowed to enter ours. At feeding
time, get your exercise by doing what my Australian friends
call the “Mallon Macarena” — throw your
hands, elbows, knees and feet around your personal space,
creating an uncomfortable zone for the llama or alpaca who wants
to steal food from your hand, which brings us to…
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Do
not hand-feed your llamas or alpacas, for any reason, at any time.
I know, I know, but please trust me on this one….
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If
your llama or alpaca approaches you whenever you enter his pen,
make it an opportunity to teach him some “business;”
pick up a foot, handle his ears, tail, etc., but don’t
pet him.
I
wish, as much as anyone, that we could cuddle and hug on our
llamas or alpacas without fear of repercussion, but is just isn’t
so. We should be satisfied with a mutually respectful relationship,
and MUST assume the role of leader in that relationship —
this is the world of the llama or alpaca and crucial to his well-being
— a clearly defined social order. Or
the hundreds of behavior-related phone calls that I get every
year, none are more heartbreaking than those from the distraught
llama or alpaca owner whose veterinarian and llama or alpaca friends have told
them that their “favorite, sweetest, most affectionate”
llama or alpaca must be put down due to ABS. They are calling me for
a last hope, a reprieve, praying that I will tell them that
this most drastic step is not necessary. In the case of a
full-blown ABS animal, there is really no other choice. Imagine
having to deal with that, then having to live with the fact
that you caused it, choosing to follow your heart rather than
your head and the available information.
Please be careful — the llama or alpaca you save may be your own…. ‘Til
next time, Happy
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