Abnormal/Problematic Behavior

Objective assessment of self-injurious behavior in rhesus macaques and successful treatment with guanfacine

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) occurs sporadically in 5% to 15% of captive nonhuman primates, with over-representation among males and those animals housed in single caging prior to adulthood. Though SIB may manifest as a range of specific behaviors, the most clinically...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Hutchinson, E. K., Freeman, Z., Rice, K. A. et al. 2012. Objective assessment of self-injurious behavior in rhesus macaques and successful treatment with guanfacine. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 647-648 (Abstract #PS78).

Efficacy of 3 types of foraging enrichment for rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

The 3 enrichment devices had different effects on individual expression of stereotypy: supertubes decreased it, shakers increased it, and puzzle balls led to a decrease followed by an increase. We present potential reasons for the changes in stereotypy and postulate...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Gottlieb, D. H., Ghirardo, S., Minier, D. E. et al. 2012. Efficacy of 3 types of foraging enrichment for rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). JAALAS 50(6), 888-894.

The enriching effect of non-commercial items in stabled horses

The effect of the provision of simple objects to stabled horses on their behaviour was investigated to determine whether these objects can affect horses' behaviour in a positive way and thus enrich their environment. A positive influence can for example...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Bulens, A., Beirendonck, S., Van Thielen, J. et al. 2013. The enriching effect of non-commercial items in stabled horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 143(1), 46-51.

Can seeds help mice with the daily grind?

Some laboratory mice gnaw food pellets without ingesting much of the gnawed material, resulting in the production of waste material. The fact that this food grinding behavior is not seen in all individuals of a particular strain suggests that it...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Pritchett-Corning, K. R., Keefe, R., Garner, J. P. et al. 2013. Can seeds help mice with the daily grind? Laboratory Animals 47(4), 312-315.

Increased produce enrichment reduces alopecia in captive outdoor socially-housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Alopecia is relatively rare in wild primates but more frequent in captive settings. We investigate whether increasing the quantity and variety of produce enrichment reduces alopecia. Alopecia was scored bimonthly from September 2011 through mid-November 2012 for eight social groups...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Hannibal, D., Cassidy, L., Day, A. et al. 2013. Increased produce enrichment reduces alopecia in captive outdoor socially-housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 92. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #195)

Risk factors for stereotypic behavior and self-biting in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): Animal’s history, current environment, and personality

Captive rhesus macaques sometimes exhibit undesirable abnormal behaviors, such as motor stereotypic behavior (MSB) and self-abuse. Many risk factors for these behaviors have been identified but the list is far from comprehensive, and large individual differences in rate of behavior...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Gottlieb, D. H., Capitanio, J. P., McCowan, B. 2013. Risk factors for stereotypic behavior and self-biting in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): Animal's history, current environment, and personality. American Journal of Primatology 75(10), 995-1008.

The relationship between environmental enrichment, temperament, and stereotypy in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Stereotypic behaviors are common in captive primate colonies, and it would be beneficial to know effective methods of remediation, and which animals are most likely to express the behavior. The first goal of this research was to determine the relationship...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Gottlieb, D. H., Maier, A., Coleman, K. 2013. The relationship between environmental enrichment, temperament, and stereotypy in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 91. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #193)

Hair loss and hair-pulling in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Alopecia is a common problem in rhesus macaque colonies. A possible cause of this condition is hair-pulling; however the true relationship between hair-pulling and alopecia is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hair loss...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Lutz, C. K., Coleman, K., Worlein, J. et al. 2013. Hair loss and hair-pulling in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). JAALAS 52(4), 454-457.

Alopecia in corral-housed baboons: the impact of season, sex, and age

Although alopecia in captive baboons has previously been assessed, the incidence of alopecia in large groups of baboons housed in more expansive outdoor settings has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of alopecia...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Baboon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Lutz, C. K. 2013. Alopecia in corral-housed baboons: the impact of season, sex, and age. American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 52. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #70)

Alopecia in three macaque species housed in a laboratory environment

Alopecia is a persistent problem in laboratory macaques, and is important to address due to the perceived implication for health and psychological well-being. Alopecia ratings were taken at 4 time points over a 12-month period on all rhesus (N =...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Kroeker, R., Bellanca, R. U., Lee, G. H. et al. 2013. Alopecia in three macaque species housed in a laboratory environment. American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 38. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #30)