Social housing ameliorates behavioral pathology in Cebus apella (1991)

Bayne, K., Dexter, S. L., Suomi, S. J.

Abstract

No specific enrichment devices were included in the [single-] cages. The seven subjects' mean percentage of occurrence of stereotypic behaviors was 13%.Change from single- to group-housing effectively reduced stereotypic behaviors; however, it also was associated with more passive behaviors being exhibited by the subjects. The concurrent shifts in these components of the behavioral repertoire suggests that the animals were in a calmer state when housed socially. [Group formation technique is not described.]