Abnormal/Problematic Behavior

The primatologist as a behavioral engineer

The field of primate behavior management has had only limited success in preventing and treating abnormal behaviors, such as stereotypy and self‐injury, in captive non‐human primates (NHP). In contrast, applied behavior analysts have had great success in treating similar topographies...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Martin, A. L. 2017. The primatologist as a behavioral engineer. American Journal of Primatology 79, e22500.

Prevalence and characteristics of hair plucking in captive bonobos (Pan paniscus) in North American zoos

When primates exhibit hair loss and are observed to engage in self or social hair plucking (a rapid jerking away of the hair shaft and follicle by the hand or mouth, often accompanied by inspection, and consumption) the altered appearance,...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Brand, C. M., Marchant, L. F. 2018. Prevalence and characteristics of hair plucking in captive bonobos (Pan paniscus) in North American zoos. American Journal of Primatology 80(4), e22751.

Social hair pulling in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Alopecia is common among captive populations of nonhuman primates. There are many potential causes of alopecia, including physiological conditions such as hormonal imbalance and infection, features of the captive environment such as housing type, ground substrate, and group density, as...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Heagerty, A., Wales, R. A., Prongay, K. et al. 2017. Social hair pulling in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 79(12), e22720.

Assessment of environmental enrichment for different primate species under low budget: A case study

The 2011 European Union Zoo Inquiry presented evidence that most zoos fail to achieve adequate levels of nonhuman animal welfare. Appropriate environmental enrichment (EE) can play a role in the promotion of welfare. However, financial and staff constraints frequently make...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Lemur, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Costa, R., Sousa, C., Llorente, M. 2018. Assessment of environmental enrichment for different primate species under low budget: A case study. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 21(2), 185-199.

Tailored enrichment strategies and stereotypic behavior in captive individually housed macaques (Macaca spp.)

The welfare of nonhuman animals in captivity is widely dependent on the natural psychological, physical, and behavioral needs of the animals and how adequately these needs are met. Inability to engage in natural behaviors can lead to chronic stress and...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Cannon, T. H., Heistermann, M., Hankison, S. J. et al. 2016. Tailored enrichment strategies and stereotypic behavior in captive individually housed macaques (Macaca spp.). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 19(2), 171-182.

Alopecie par grattage (trichomania ou trichotillomania)

Suggests the term trichotillomania .

Year Published: 1889Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Hallopeau, H. 1889. Alopecie par grattage (trichomania ou trichotillomania). Annales de Dermatologie et de Syphiligraphie 10, 440-441.

Effect of cage-induced stereotypies on measures of affective state and recurrent perseveration in CD-1 and C57BL/6 mice

Stereotypies are abnormal repetitive behaviour patterns that are highly prevalent in laboratory mice and are thought to reflect impaired welfare. Thus, they are associated with impaired behavioural inhibition and may also reflect negative affective states. However, in mice the relationship...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Novak, J., Bailoo, J. D., Melotti, L. et al. 2016. Effect of cage-induced stereotypies on measures of affective state and recurrent perseveration in CD-1 and C57BL/6 mice. PLOS ONE 11(5), e0153203.

Relationship of thyroid and adrenal function to fur-chewing in the chinchilla

The fur-chewing chinchillas showed increased thyroid activity (P < 0·5), increased adrenalcortical function (P < 0·05) and decreased rectal temperature (P < 0·01). This study suggested that increased endocrine activity could be due to the loss of insulation over the...

Year Published: 1973Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Rodent

Citation: Vanjonack, W. J., Johnson, H. D. 1973. Relationship of thyroid and adrenal function to fur-chewing in the chinchilla. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 45, 115-120.

Some observations on the development of feather pecking in poultry

Feather pecking occurs much more often when chicken are kept on wire floor rather then litter which allows the hens to peck up additional food particles. It is argued that feather pecking in the absence of a suitable litter substrate...

Year Published: 1984Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Blokhuis, H. J., Arkes, J. G. 1984. Some observations on the development of feather pecking in poultry. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 12, 145-157.

Abnormal behavior in laboratory-reared rhesus monkeys

Thus, even after extensive social experience, early stimulus deprivation produced animals that failed to perform normally as adults.

Year Published: 1986Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Sackett, G. P. 1986. Abnormal behavior in laboratory-reared rhesus monkeys. In: Abnormal Behavior of Animals. Fox, M. W. (ed), 293-331. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA.