Social enrichment for previously single-caged stump-tail macaques (1994)

Reinhardt, V.

Abstract

Isosexual pair-housing of ten female and six male previously single-caged adult stump-tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides) was attempted. Partners were introduced to each other following the establishment of rank relationships during a three-day non-contact familiarization period. Pair formations did not entail serious antagonism; instead companions engaged in conciliatory interactions. After a six-month habituation period companions spent on average 22.0% of one-hour observation sessions interacting with each other in affiliative interactions. They preferred not being alone even though this reduced their available cage space. It was concluded that single-caged stump-tailed macaques readily adapt to living with another conspecific. Pair-housing made formerly socially deprived subjects truly social animals by providing them an appropriate environment for the expression of their social disposition.