Methods to evaluate the well-being of laboratory primates (1989)

Evans, H. L., Taylor, J. D., Ernst, J. et al.

Abstract

Single-caged long-tailed macaques took on average 8.7 seconds, paired tamarins took on average 15 seconds to retrieve one raisin from the pickup board [miniature ice cube tray attached to front of cage]. Experienced macaques emptied the commercial puzzle filled with the standard food pellet ration within 20 minutes. After a few days experience with the puzzle, macaques ate from both sources [puzzle feeder and conventional food cup] at the same time, showing no clear preference for either source. This indicates a motivation other than taste or caloric need for performing the puzzle. The puzzle was not adaptable for tamarins since they displayed little or no appetite for any hard food items which could be pushed through the puzzle. Soft foods, such as grapes, raisins, marshmallows or marmoset diet were squeezed out through the small holes rather than being pushed through the maze of the puzzle.