Modifying spider monkey behavior with the use of environmental variables (1993)

Stegenga, L.

Abstract

The introduction of the leaves and the food pod [food loaded PVC pipe with finger holes suspended from tree] reduced the amount of off-display time by nearly half. During baseline observations, the monkeys spent 7.3% of the time feeding, but when leaves were added to the enclosure, feeding activities increased to 13.1% of the time. The monkeys also spent 9.5% of the time attempting to extract food from the pods. When the leaves were added to the enclosure, playtime was more significant.