Abnormal/Problematic Behavior

Repetitive backflipping behaviour in captive roof rats (Rattus rattus) and the effect of cage enrichment

Repetitive stereotyped behaviours are often performed by both wild and domestic rodents in small laboratory cages. In this study, a behaviour resembling a backwards somersault or backflip is described and quantified in captive roof rats (ship or black rats, Rattus...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Callard, M. D., Bursten, S. N., Price, E. O. 2000. Repetitive backflipping behaviour in captive roof rats (Rattus rattus) and the effect of cage enrichment. Animal Welfare 9, 139-152.

Reducing equine stereotypies using an Equiball?

Six horses were given their evening feed in an Equiball. ... A reduction in stereotypic behaviour in five horses, and a small increase in stereotypic behaviour in one horse was observed during enrichment.

Year Published: 2001Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Henderson, J. V., Waren, N. K. 2001. Reducing equine stereotypies using an Equiball?. Animal Welfare 10, 73-80.

A roll in the hay: good clean play

The provision of hay as enrichment significantly decreased the frequency of fecal smearing.

Year Published: 2001Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Lambeth, S. P. 2001. A roll in the hay: good clean play. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 6(4), 2.

The rehabilitation of captive baboons

Eleven baboons who had been singly housed indoors for an average of 5 years were moved to outdoor social groups [two heterosexual trios, one male trio, one female/male pair] in an attempt to provide a more species-typical environment and reduce...

Year Published: 2001Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Baboon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Kessel, A. L., Brent, L. 2001. The rehabilitation of captive baboons. Journal of Medical Primatology 30, 71-80.

Self-biting in caged macaques: Cause, effect and treatment

In the United States, there are an estimated 15,000 individually caged macaques. If 10% of these animals exhibit visible injuries resulting from self-biting and another 10% show unnoticed self-biting behavior, then about 3,000 animals (20%) are affected by this gross...

Year Published: 2001Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Reinhardt, V., Rossell, M. 2001. Self-biting in caged macaques: Cause, effect and treatment. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 4, 285-294.

The use of mirrors for the control of stereotypic weaving behaviour in the stabled horse

Weaving, a common locomotor stereotypy, has been associated with social isolation in stabled horses. In this study we investigated the effect of provision of mirrors on weaving as this may have a similar effect to access to conspecifics. .. The...

Year Published: 2002Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: McAfee, L. M., Mills, D. S., Cooper, J. J. 2002. The use of mirrors for the control of stereotypic weaving behaviour in the stabled horse. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 78 , 159-173.

Why every scientist should care about animal welfare: Abnormal repetitive behavior and brain function in captive animals

Barren laboratory housing also induces abnormal behaviors in many species, particularly stereotypies, fur and feather plucking, and self-mutilation. Similar behaviors in human mental disorder are correlated with dysfunction in brain areas that control the selection and sequencing of behavior. Experiments...

Year Published: 2002Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: All/General, Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Garner, J. P. 2002. Why every scientist should care about animal welfare: Abnormal repetitive behavior and brain function in captive animals. Proceedings of the World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences, 95 (Abstract).

Self-injurious behavior in captive macaque monkeys

A comprehensive review on self-injurious behavior in macaques

Year Published: 2002Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Novak, M. A., Crockett, C. M., Sackett, G. P. 2002. Self-injurious behavior in captive macaque monkeys. In: Self-Injurious Behavior: Gene-Brain-Behavior Relationships . Schroeder, S. R., Oster-Granite, M. L., Thompson, T. (eds), 151-161. American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

Inter-group variation in abnormal behavior in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

It is suggested social learning processes are involved in the propagation of these behaviors.

Year Published: 2002Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Hook, M. A., Lambeth, S. P., Perlman. J. E. et al. 2002. Inter-group variation in abnormal behavior in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 76, 165-176.

Vasectomies as part of an environmental enrichment plan for primates

Pair housing following vasectomy has also been implemented for adult male [rhesus] macaques that engaged in self-injurious behavior (SIB). The incidence of SIB was significantly decreased or eliminated following these interventions.

Year Published: 2002Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Weed, J. L., Byrum, R., Parrish, S. et al. 2002. Vasectomies as part of an environmental enrichment plan for primates. American Journal of Primatology 57, 41 (Abstract).