Abnormal/Problematic Behavior

Environmental enrichment: does it reduce barbering in mice?

One of the problems in maintaining group-housed mice is barbering one or more mice chewing (barbering) the fur and whiskers of other mice. A group of 300 mice of both sexes, which are being studied over their lifetime, were housed...

Year Published: 1997Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: DeLuca, A. M. 1997. Environmental enrichment: does it reduce barbering in mice? Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) Newsletter 8(2), 7-8.

The application, use, and effects of training and enrichment variables with Japanese snow macaques (Macaca fuscata) at the Central Park Wildlife Center

A training protocol is briefly described which allows the keepers through vocal and visual cues to herd the animals to a holding area. Training sessions were deterring stereotypic and abnormal behaviour - such as excessive grooming and fur-pulling. A feeding...

Year Published: 1997Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Goodwin, J. 1997. The application, use, and effects of training and enrichment variables with Japanese snow macaques (Macaca fuscata) at the Central Park Wildlife Center. American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) Regional Conference Proceedings, 510-515.

The early ontogeny of bar-gnawing in laboratory gerbils

Housed in standard cages without lid [no dark areas], gerbils develop stereotyped bar-gnawing already at a very early age.

Year Published: 1997Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Gerbil, Rodent

Citation: Wiedenmayer, C. 1997. The early ontogeny of bar-gnawing in laboratory gerbils. Animal Welfare 6, 273-277.

Utilization of a sensory diet approach for enrichment and mitigation of abnormal behaviors in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Treatment consisted of stimulation of the tactile senses through use of various paper media, a combing/brushing schedule and muscle pressure techniques. A reduction in the rate of coprophagive events was observed.

Year Published: 1997Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Struthers, E. J., Harvey, H., Walden, S. 1997. Utilization of a sensory diet approach for enrichment and mitigation of abnormal behaviors in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). American Journal of Primatology 42, 151 (Abstract).

Orangutan Species Survival Plan Husbandry Manual: Behavioral Biology

Abnormal behaviors occurring in some captive orangutans include lack of maternal skills, stereotypic behaviors, atypical sexual behavior and hyper-aggressiveness. Changes in social groupings, improved housing, behavioral enrichment and positive reinforcement training are known to alleviate some of these undesirable behaviors.

Year Published: 1997Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Sodaro, C. , Mellen, J. 1997. Behavioral biology. In: Orangutan Species Survival Plan Husbandry Manual. Sodaro C. (ed), 17-25. Atlanta Orangutan SSP, Atlanta, GA.

Abnormal behavior in a captive chimpanzee colony

The purpose of this study was to link abnormal behaviors often expressed by chimpanzees living in captive environments to factors related to their care and housing. Individuals who had spent more time with their mothers had less abnormal behavior. Access...

Year Published: 1997Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Warniment, A., Brent, L. 1997. Abnormal behavior in a captive chimpanzee colony. The Newsletter 8(3), 1-3.

Effect of feed and environmental enrichment on development of stereotypic wire-gnawing in laboratory mice

Enrichment significantly reduced stereotypic wire-gnawing in pair-housed male mice by 40%, presumably as a consequence of the cover provided by the cardboard tubes. This is substantiated by observations that the tubes were used as a place to retreat upon disturbance...

Year Published: 1998Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Wurbel, H., Chapman, R., Rutland, C. 1998. Effect of feed and environmental enrichment on development of stereotypic wire-gnawing in laboratory mice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 60, 69-81.

Cage toys reduce abnormal behavior in individually housed pigtail macaques

Providing multiple manipulable toys as enrichment for [single-caged] pigtail macaques was effective in reducing abnormal behavior during 30- min observation session. The use of the toys was reduced over time. The Kong toy was used most consistently.

Year Published: 1998Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Kessel, A. L., Brent, L. 1998. Cage toys reduce abnormal behavior in individually housed pigtail macaques. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 1, 227-234.

Risk factors for self-injurious behavior in captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Research has shown that approximately 10% of captive, individually housed monkeys have had some veterinary record of self-injurious behavior within their life-time. The incidence of self-biting was 14% [!] in a test colony of 188 male individually housed rhesus macaques....

Year Published: 1998Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Jorgensen, M. J., Kinsey, J. H., Novak, M. A. 1998. Risk factors for self-injurious behavior in captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 45, 187 (Abstract).

Abnormal behavior: Action not reaction

This paper will present an overview of the literature on abnormal behavior, in order to establish a context for the effective use of enrichment to address these types of problems. .... Abnormal behavior may function as an adaptive coping response...

Year Published: 1998Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Stone, A. M. 1998. Abnormal behavior: Action not reaction. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. Hare, V. J. , Worley, E. (eds), 265-269. The Shape of Enrichment, San Diego, CA.