Abnormal/Problematic Behavior

A psychologic wellbeing response plan for nonhuman primates

Under animal care situations that conform to compliance standards for environmental enrichment established by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Guide to the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, at least 10% of laboratory macaques exhibit abnormal behavior, with...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Camacho, J. N., Moeller, E., Morris, J. 2009. A psychologic wellbeing response plan for nonhuman primates. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 558 (Abstract #PS84).

Risk factors and remediation of self-injurious and self-abuse behavior in rhesus macaques

Considered signs of decreased welfare--abnormal behaviors such as self-injury and self-abuse among nonhuman primates housed in the laboratory--may put into question the validity and reliability of scientific research using these animals as models. Providing environmental enrichment decreases the incidence of...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Rommeck, I., Anderson, K., Heagerty, A. et al. 2009. Risk factors and remediation of self-injurious and self-abuse behavior in rhesus macaques. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 12(1), 61-72.

Self-directed biting in male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with self-injurious behavior (SIB) increases following acute treatment with the anxiogenic drug FG7142

A small percentage of captive macaques spontaneously exhibit self-injurious behavior (SIB), mostly in the form of self-directed biting. Several risk factors have been identified in the etiology of SIB in monkeys, including exposure to early life stressors. We hypothesize that...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Major, C. A., Kelly, B. J., Novak, M. A. et al. 2009. Self-directed biting in male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with self-injurious behavior (SIB) increases following acute treatment with the anxiogenic drug FG7142. American Journal of Primatology 71(S1), 89. (32nd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #182)

Assessment of efficacy of three types of foraging enrichment in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Rhesus macaques housed indoors in captivity commonly display abnormal behaviors that are rarely seen in their wild counterparts. These behaviors include stereotypic behaviors and self-abuse. These behaviors are often seen as signs of poor welfare, due to stressors in the...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Gottlieb, D. H., Tatum, L., Ghirardo, S. et al. 2009. Assessment of efficacy of three types of foraging enrichment in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 71(S1), 33. (32nd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #13)

Developing a reliable laboratory primate alopecia scoring system for interfacility collaboration and on-line training

Of the potential flags of impaired well-being in laboratory primates, alopecia has received particular regulatory focus, making it a top priority for behavioral managers. Consensus on a reliable alopecia scoring system used by multiple facilities can better determine prevalence and...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Crockett, C. M., Baker, K. C., Lutz, C. K. et al. 2009. Developing a reliable laboratory primate alopecia scoring system for interfacility collaboration and on-line training. American Journal of Primatology 71(S1), 73. (32nd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #133)

Rate of self-injurious behavior in buspirone-treated rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) across different levels of human activity in the environment

This study examined the effectiveness of an anxiolytic drug, buspirone, in rhesus macaques with a history of self-injurious behavior. ... However, self-biting was more prevalent during periods of high activity. Treatment with buspirone was not associated with decreased time in...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Coble, D. C., Martin, A. L., Perlman, J. E. et al. 2010. Rate of self-injurious behavior in buspirone-treated rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) across different levels of human activity in the environment. American Journal of Primatology 72(S1), 27-28. (33rd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #7)

Floating limb behaviors and self-biting are associated in laboratory monkeys

Early descriptions of floating limb behaviors in monkeys were associated with isolation rearing, a practice that ended more than two decades ago. The present authors named various forms of behaviors in which a leg is elevated for no apparent reason:...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Baboon, Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Bentson, K. L., Crockett, C. M., Wahl, K. L. et al. 2010. Floating limb behaviors and self-biting are associated in laboratory monkeys. American Journal of Primatology 72(8), 725-733.

Frustration and perseveration in stereotypic captive animals: Is a taste of enrichment worse than none at all?

Stereotypic behaviours are common in animals in impoverished housing, arising from two complementary processes: (1) thwarted attempts to perform motivated behaviours; (2) forebrain dysfunction impeding normal behavioural inhibition. When enriched animals are moved to impoverished housing, they are sometimes protected...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Latham, N., Mason, G. 2010. Frustration and perseveration in stereotypic captive animals: Is a taste of enrichment worse than none at all? Behavioural Brain Research 211(1), 96-104.

The effect of type of rooting material and space allowance on exploration and abnormal behaviour in growing pigs

The experiment aimed to investigate the effect of type of rooting material and space allowance on explorative and abnormal behaviour in growing pigs. Thirty-six pens with partly slatted concrete floor were allocated to one of four treatments: (1) low space...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Jensen, M. B., Studnitz, M., Pedersen, L. J. 2010. The effect of type of rooting material and space allowance on exploration and abnormal behaviour in growing pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 123(3-4), 87-92.

Recognizing and addressing stereotypic behaviors

The combination of mouse igloos and running wheels proved to be highly effective in reducing flipping, circling, and jumping.

Year Published: 2010Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Harper, V., Frey, A., Bradley, D. et al. 2010. Recognizing and addressing stereotypic behaviors. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 15(4), 2.