Artificial turf foraging boards as environmental enrichment for pair-housed female squirrel monkeys (2000)

Fekete, J. M., Norcross, J. L., Newman, J. D.

Abstract

Five groups of pair-housed female squirrel monkeys were videotaped the week prior to, the week following, and for 2 weeks during the enrichment phase, when treat-enhanced boards were provided for 2 h daily. During the first 30 min of daily enrichment, inactivity declined 35.3%, locomotion increased 3.8%, and board-related behavior occupied 36.3% of the activity budget; these changes were not evident after 1.5 h. Behavioral disorders were not altered by the foraging opportunity.