Novel enrichment item for non-human primates (2013)

Shuster, K.

Abstract

Wheat grass kits are available from multiple sources (e.g. wheatgrasskits.com) and usually come with enough seeds and other materials to grow 5 flats. The instructions are very simple and the grass grows quickly, only taking about a week to reach harvesting height. Our facility currently houses rhesus and cynomolgus macaques and both of these species enjoy utilizing the wheat grass. The pictures show the wheat grass prior to cutting, once it is cut into squares, and one of our rhesus macaques enjoying his grass. The primates do a very good job breaking the dirt and roots up into small pieces so it has never been a problem in cleaning the rooms or with the drains. Overall, this has provided a novel enrichment item that stimulates foraging behavior and is low in calories.