Paint roller and grooming-boards as treatment for over-grooming rhesus macaques (2002)

Tully, L. A., Jenne, M., Coleman, K.

Abstract

Laboratory monkeys living in cages can develop atypical behaviors believed to indicate diminished psychological well-being. One of the most pervasive is self-directed over-grooming. Some monkeys groom their own hair to the point that they are almost bald. Typically, monkeys who exhibit this behavior are given grooming boards (a metal frame with fleece covering hung outside the cage), with the hope that the behavior will be re-directed. However, these devices are time-consuming to assemble, and alternatives are desirable. One such device is a paint roller placed over a PVC pipe hung horizontally outside of the cage. ... Once a week, two behavior technicians assess the percent hair loss for each [of the 6 + 6 monkeys], and replaced the device. ...The monkeys have been followed for 6 weeks. ... In each group, most animals showed little, if any, improvement. Thus, our preliminary data suggest that neither grooming boards nor paint rollers affect over-grooming behavior after 6 weeks.