Effects of puzzle feeders on pathological behavior in individually housed rhesus monkeys (1998)

Novak, M. A., Kinsey, J. H., Jorgensen, M. J. et al.

Abstract

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) occurs in about 10% of individually housed monkeys. Monkeys with SIB bite their own bodies frequently, occasionally inflicting wounds as a result [p. 213] ... Of great concern is the development of a severe from of abnormal behavior in which a small percentage of monkeys (about 5-12%) engage in self-inflicted wounding [p. 214] ... Manipulation of the puzzle feeder was associated with a reduction in pacing and rocking in all subjects; but this effect was transient, occurring only during the first hour after the puzzle feeder was filled with treats. Puzzle feeder manipulation had no effect on self-injurious behavior; in fact, some monkeys with this disorder actually bit themselves while extracting peanuts [p. 226].Abstract of this work has been published in: XVIth Congress of the International Primatological Society/XIXth Conference of the American Society of Primatologists, Abstract No. 683, 1996; Kinsey JH, Jorgensen MJ, Platt DM, Hazen TJ; Food puzzle feeders: Effects on self-biting and stereotypy in individually housed monkeys.