Environmental enrichment options for laboratory rats and mice (2004)

Key, D.

Abstract

Environmental enrichment is the alteration of animals' microenvironment to provide them with the opportunity to perfrom species-specific behaviors that we perceive as positive, while reducing abnormal behaviors. [p. 39] Several interesting products are now available commercially, and I will review some of them. From my experience in providing environmental ernichment benefits for the animal, the resulting improvements benefit both the science and the visitors' perception of our animal unit. Visitors recognize the efforts of the institution and see the benefits the animals are experiencing. [p. 44]