Why is Darling running in circles?

[RudderlessHippy]

I have recently moved all my piggies outside now the weather is good, but I have noticed that Captain Darling (the lethal pig) is behaving a bit funny...
He just run's continuously in clockwise circles, mostly around the box thats in their run.

Does anyone know why he's doing this? At first I thought he was lost 'cos the space was unfamiliar, but I don't think he is, when he meets Igor or Patch he just climbs over them if they are in the way.

He stops to graze occasionally. Any ideas on what he's doing?

 

[Wiebke]

Running in circles around something is a way of popcorning/playing for a happy piggy; even fully sighted ones. Although they don't necessarily need to stay in contact with the hidey or cage or whatever like your boy.

 

[Toffeewoffee]

Could be a nuerological (sp) problem, or the other thing i thought of was an ear infection, have you noticed his head tilted atall?

Otherwise it could be that he hasn't coped well with the change in temperature very well.

A very trip is in order. xx

 

[MerryPip]

Lethals have habits and they seem to like routine. For a blind piggy running around the perimeter of a space is a safety thing. They know where they are then.

Plus they sometimes just develop wierd habits! My Hamish does very odd things from time to time but he's always happy about it!

Probably nothing to worry about, just him enjoying himself in his own wee way.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

He sounds like a happy piggy to me
One of my girls was racing around in circles like a loon this morning whilst I was hoovering - she knows food is on the way after the noisy 'hay disposer' has been switched off rolleyes
A lot of piggies do this if they have an ear infection/mites etc. so I'd just keep an eye on his behaviour.
Is Darling your avatar piggy ? x)

 

[RudderlessHippy]

Lethals have habits and they seem to like routine. For a blind piggy running around the perimeter of a space is a safety thing. They know where they are then.

Plus they sometimes just develop wierd habits! My Hamish does very odd things from time to time but he's always happy about it!

Probably nothing to worry about, just him enjoying himself in his own wee way.

Thanks, I was a bit worried as it seemed like sort of steriotypical behaviour (you know like unhappy animals at the zoo who pace continuously?)

He seems ok otherwise, he eats lots and he's sleeping right now next to Patch (I think Patch likes him best)

I can tell when he's not happy because he has a very distinctive unhappy squeak, but he doesn't do that when he's running around!

 

[RudderlessHippy]

He sounds like a happy piggy to me
One of my girls was racing around in circles like a loon this morning whilst I was hoovering - she knows food is on the way after the noisy 'hay disposer' has been switched off rolleyes
A lot of piggies do this if they have an ear infection/mites etc. so I'd just keep an eye on his behaviour.
Is Darling your avatar piggy ? x)

Yeah he's in my avitar

 

[MerryPip]

Thanks, I was a bit worried as it seemed like sort of steriotypical behaviour (you know like unhappy animals at the zoo who pace continuously?)QUOTE]

I don't know why but I think blind/deaf piggies and lethal do have a lot of stereotyped behaviour. I think they use primitive reflexes more than a pig who can see and hear. I have seen this behaviour in video clips of lethal piggies and others with problems.

I know what you mean about a specific sound for being unhappy as Hamish does the same and it can be quite frightening as he goives a really loud squeak when he's upset.

I'm glad little Captain Darling is doing so well in a caring family. Special needs pigs really are a special joy to have.