Distress or unmet needs are frequently the root causes of conflict or challenging behavior. These are just a handful of the potential sources of conflict: Biological: Conflict arises when an individual is in pain for biological reasons, such as as a result of medication side effects or substance abuse. Emotional: Conflicts may arise between siblings who have different emotional needs from their parent(s). Physical: Conflicts may also arise due to physical differences between individuals who are usually housed together. For example, one animal may be more aggressive than the other, causing problems for both animals. Challenging behaviors are often directed toward avoiding or reducing distress. Animals may challenge their keepers by repeatedly refusing food, demanding attention, or acting out sexually. Certain behaviors are considered "aggressive" and may lead to being placed in a cage alone until it is determined how to manage the aggressive incident safely. Animals may also challenge their environment by seeking out danger or distracting themselves with stimuli that cause them to forget about their discomfort. Conflict management involves finding a way to resolve the conflict without harming anyone involved. This may include changing our own behavior, thinking, or procedures so that they no longer cause distress. It may also involve taking measures to reduce the risk of future conflicts arising. For example, if an animal is afraid of dogs, it might be helpful to house him separately from other animals to avoid this becoming a problem.