Effects of woodchips and buried food on behavior patterns and psychological well-being of captive rhesus monkeys (1991)

Byrne, G. D., Suomi, S. J.

Abstract

The addition of woodchips increased exploration and feeding levels and decreased social interactions among group-housed animals. Burial of regular monkey chow in woodchips had little effect on behavior beyond that of the woodchips alone, increasing exploration and decreasing passivity. The addition of sunflower seeds to the woodchips encouraged increased feeding and exploration and led to decreases in passivity and social interaction. No effect on abnormal behavior.