Environmental Enrichment

Abnormal behaviour in laboratory monkeys

The success of inanimate environmental enrichment in controlling severe behaviour disorders [such as self-injurious behaviour] has been limited, although a few studies suggest some benefits. Providing tactile social contact is comparatively more successful in reducing abnormal behaviour in some monkeys...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Crockett, C. M. 2004. Abnormal behaviour in laboratory monkeys. Folia Primatologica 75(Supplement 1), 130-131. (Primate Meeting Abstract)

Cage enrichment and mouse behaviour

Mice housed in standard cages show impaired brain development, abnormal repetitive behaviours (stereotypies) and an anxious behavioural profile, all of which can be lessened by making the cage environment more stimulating. But concerns have been raised that enriched housing might...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Wolfer, D. P., Litvin, O., Morf, S. et al. 2004. Cage enrichment and mouse behaviour. Nature 432, 821-822.

The influence of toys on the behaviour and welfare of kenneled dogs

Enrichment through the provision of typs may have a positive effect upon the welfare of sheltered dogs, helping to reduce boredom. ... The dogs' interest in the toys waned over time, but the speed of habituation to the Nylabone chew...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Wells, D. L. 2004. The influence of toys on the behaviour and welfare of kenneled dogs. Animal Welfare 13, 367-373.

A review of environmental enrichment for kennelled dogs, Canis familiaris

Two types of general enrichment method are discussed, namely animate (i.e. enrichment through the provision of social contacts with conspecifics and humans) and inanimate (i.e. enrichment through the provision of toys, cage furniture, auditory and olfactory stimulation). The benefits and,...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Wells, D. L. 2004. A review of environmental enrichment for kennelled dogs, Canis familiaris. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 85, 307-317.

Rabbit enrichment? Keeping it simple

A 'hanging hay manger' allows rabbits to exhibit their natural foraging instinct. .. a plastic chain and a shower curtain ring can provide endless hours of fun. No data are included in this article.

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Weaver, L. E. 2004. Rabbit enrichment ? Keeping it simple. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 9(2), 1-2.

Preference for social contact versus environmental enrichment in male laboratory mice

Results indicated that when other conditions were similar, male mice preferred to sleep in close proximity to their familiar cage mate. Furthermore, the need to engage in active social behaviour increased with age. Tissues were used to a large extent...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Van Loo, P. L. P., Van de Weerd, H. A., Van Zutphen, L. F. M. et al. 2004. Preference for social contact versus environmental enrichment in male laboratory mice. Laboratory Animals 38, 178-188.

Assessment of commercially available environmental enrichment for laboratory mice: Ask the animal! American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 135-136 (Abstract)

Mice of all strains showed a strong preference for paper-based, but not for perspex nest boxes.

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Van Loo, P. L. P., Blom, H. J. M., Meijer, M. K. et al. 2004. Assessment of commercially available environmental enrichment for laboratory mice: Ask the animal! American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 135-136 (Abstract).

The importance of learning young: the use of nesting material in laboratory rats

Unlike mice, adult laboratory rats do not spontaneously build nests when nesting material is offered. As a result, nesting material is often regarded as unsuitable environmental enrichment for laboratory rats. Wild rats and pet rats, however, have been observed to...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Van Loo, P. L. P., Baumans, V. 2004. The importance of learning young: the use of nesting material in laboratory rats. Laboratory Animals 38, 17-24.

Short-term effects of a disturbed light-dark cycle and environmental enrichment on aggression and stress-related parameters in male mice

This experiment has shown that disturbed lighting for socially-housed male mice caused physiological and behavioural changes indicative of not only leading to much higher levels of corticosterone [via urine collection] but also to shorter agonistic within the groups. .. No...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Van der Meer, E., Van Loo, P. L. P., Baumans, V. 2004. Short-term effects of a disturbed light-dark cycle and environmental enrichment on aggression and stress-related parameters in male mice. Laboratory Animals 38, 376-383.

Enriching your enrichment program

Feeding enrichment and inanimate enrichment options for group-housed gorillas are described.

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Jones, P., Cantrell, R., Chaplin, M. 2004. Enriching your enrichment program. Animal Keepers' Forum 31(10), 430-433.