Publications

Evidence of play behavior in captive California two-spot octopuses, Octopus bimaculoides

Play is considered to be an essential part of development that supports learning, memory, and the development of flexible behavioral strategies. It may also serve as an informative factor in assessing an animal’s welfare state and in improving care and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Cephalopod, Invertebrate

Citation: Jarmoluk, K., Pelled, G. 2025. Evidence of play behavior in captive California two-spot octopuses, Octopus bimaculoides. PLOS ONE 20(7), e0326379.

Pre-transport salt baths mitigate physiological stress and tissue damage in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fingerlings: evidence from multi-biomarker assessment and histopathology

Effective transport strategies are critical for the survival and welfare of juvenile Ictalurus punctatus, but the effects of pre-transport salt bath treatments remain uncertain. In this study, we systematically evaluated the effects of pre-transport salt bath acclimation at 0‰ (S1),...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Huang, G., Li, H., Wang, J. et al. 2025. Pre-transport salt baths mitigate physiological stress and tissue damage in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fingerlings: Evidence from multi-biomarker assessment and histopathology. Animals 15(15), 2249.

Marm-ite moments: Enriching marmoset behaviour with the 3Rs

It is well documented that activity levels of non-human primates (NHPs) are reduced in captivity, particularly in laboratory settings where space and enclosure design are limited.1 The 3Rs encourages researchers to refine their care of protected species by increasing the...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Horsfield, A., Witts, N., Maishman, T. 2025. Marm-ite moments: Enriching marmoset behaviour with the 3Rs. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(2), 160–164.

IAT/LAVA Congress – Workshop on setting up and running a successful re-homing programme

In a recent survey of 41 UK research establishments, it was found that re-homing was undertaken by less than half of them and the number of re-homed animals was low.1 At the University of Strathclyde we have a wellestablished and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Horan, L., Wilkinson, M. 2025. IAT/LAVA Congress – Workshop on setting up and running a successful re-homing programme. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(2), 127–130.

Assessing the relationship between incisor wear, age, and body condition in Dohne Merino ewes (Ovis aries)

Sheep (Ovis aries) are stoic, prey animals that have evolved to mask signs of pain and vulnerability, making behavioural indicators of poor welfare difficult to detect. Body condition scoring (BCS) remains one of the most practical, animal-based indicators of chronic...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: Holt, A. S., Langford, F. M. 2025. Assessing the relationship between incisor wear, age, and body condition in Dohne Merino ewes (Ovis aries). Animal Welfare 34, e53.

Evidence of mood states in reptiles

There is increasing evidence that non-human animals experience ‘free-floating’ mood states, but such evidence is lacking in reptiles, hindering the debate as to their affective capacity and with subsequent implications for welfare. Here, we investigated the presence of a mood...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Hoehfurtner, T., Wilkinson, A., Moszuti, S. A. et al. 2025. Evidence of mood states in reptiles. Animal Cognition 28(1), 52.

Chew sticks, do mice really care?

There are various chewing enrichments on the market for small rodents. In this study we focused on comparing two types, T-Brick and Aspen to see which product enabled more natural chewing behaviours in several strains of mice. A rack of...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Higginson, K. 2025. Chew sticks, do mice really care? Animal Technology and Welfare 24(2), 185–187.

Effects of microclimate during transport on physiological indicators of market pig welfare: A systematic review with meta-analysis

During transportation, microclimatic conditions can fluctuate significantly, affecting pigs’ thermal comfort and leading to compromised welfare and production losses. Although numerous studies have examined the effects of heat stress during transport on pig welfare and meat quality, it remains unclear...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Hernandez, R. O., Rocha, A. O., Cai, C. et al. 2025. Effects of microclimate during transport on physiological indicators of market pig welfare: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Positive reinforcement training: Old world NHPs

Positive reinforcement training (PRT) is increasingly used to refine scientific and husbandry procedures involving Old-World nonhuman primates (NHPs) around the globe. PRT provides mental stimulation as well as reduces stress for NHPs. This will lead to better overall wellbeing and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Harbin, T. 2025. Positive reinforcement training: Old world NHPs. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(2), 165–167.

Juvenile male rats form preferences based on strain when playing in groups but not in pairs

Like many young mammals, juvenile rats engage in rough-and-tumble play. Play occurs naturally both in wild and laboratory rats, making it a suitable, ethologically relevant behavior to investigate. In the laboratory, rats are typically housed and tested in dyads, despite...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Ham, J. R., Jaiswal, D., Waner-Mariquito, R. et al. 2025. Juvenile male rats form preferences based on strain when playing in groups but not in pairs. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 19.