Environmental Enrichment

Use of discarded equipment for cost-effective mouse enrichment

Damaged water bottles waiting to be discarded were modified to create mouse houses. An opening was made in the bottle, making sure there were no rough edges.

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Fesler, J. 2006. Use of discarded equipment for cost-effective mouse enrichment. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 11(4).

Preparation of animals for research — Issues to consider for rodents and rabbits

This article provides details to consider when preparing to use animals in biomedical research. The stress of transport and receipt of animals into a new environment mandate the need for a period of stabilization and acclimation. This allotment of time...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Regulations & Ethical Review, Relocation & Transport, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Conour, L. A., Murray, K. A., Brown, M. J. 2006. Preparation of animals for research -- Issues to consider for rodents and rabbits. ILAR Journal 47(4), 283-293.

Naturalistic enrichment: integrating enrichment and immersion landscapes

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Coe, J. C. 2006. Naturalistic enrichment: integrating enrichment and immersion landscapes. Shape of Enrichment 15(2), 6-7.

The effects of environmental enrichment on nesting behaviour in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease

All mice in our colony are housed with some type of igloo or house from birth. In this study, WT and R6/2 male mice appear to build higher quality nests when housed without an igloo. One possible reason for this...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Burgen, P., Glynn, D., Morton, J. 2006. The effects of environmental enrichment on nesting behaviour in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. Animal Technology and Welfare 5(3), 147-152.

Psychopathology in great apes: concepts, treatment options and possible homologies to human psychiatric disorders

Many captive great apes show gross behavioral abnormalities such as stereotypies, self-mutilation, inappropriate aggression, fear or withdrawal, which impede attempts to integrate these animals in existing or new social groups. These abnormal behaviors resemble symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders in...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Bruene, M., Bruene-Cohrs, U., McGrew, W. C. et al. 2006. Psychopathology in great apes: concepts, treatment options and possible homologies to human psychiatric disorders. Neuroscience Biobehavioral Reviews 30, 1246-1259.

Spontaneous stereotypy and environmental enrichment in deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus): Reversibility of experience

Spontaneous and persistent stereotypies exhibited by deer mice appear to be prevented by post-weaning rearing in a larger, more complex environment. We sought to determine: (1) if exposure to an enriched environment later in development would still be efficacious in...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Hadley, C., Hadley, B., Ephraima, S. et al. 2006. Spontaneous stereotypy and environmental enrichment in deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus): Reversibility of experience. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 97, 312-322.

Animal Research Review Panel Guideline 21: Guidelines for the Housing of Guinea Pigs in Scientific Institutions

Valuable recommendations for the species-adequate housing and species-approriate care of guinea pigs; topics include Housing (enclosure size, substrate, shelter, nesting material), Environmental Enrichment, and Husbandry (light, temperature, humidity, cleaning).

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Animal Research Review Panel. 2006. Animal Research Review Panel Guideline 21: Guidelines for the Housing of Guinea Pigs in Scientific Institutions. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW, 55 pp.

Effects of humidity and environmental enrichment on food-chewing behavior in mice

Neither of the enrichment tools (Gumabones or a cellulose/corncob mixture) improved food-chewing behavior. As the humidity decreased over the 3-wk period, so did the abnormal behavior, regardless of the enrichment status of the cage.

Year Published: 2006Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Nelson, C., Dysko, R. 2006. Effects of humidity and environmental enrichment on food-chewing behavior in mice. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 154 (Abstract).

The preference of laying hens for perforated Astroturf over conventional wire as a dustbathing substrate in furnished cages

A strong preference was found for dustbathing on Astroturf flooring.

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Merrill, R. J. N., Cooper, J. J., Albentosa, M. J. et al. 2006. The preference of laying hens for perforated Astroturf over conventional wire as a dustbathing substrate in furnished cages. Animal Welfare 15, 173-178.

Environmental modification and agonistic behavior in NIH/S male mice: Nesting material enhances fighting but shelters prevent it

The aim of the study was to investigate effects of widely recommended nesting material and additional shelters on male mice. The aggressiveness of the mice in their home cages clearly increased in the nest group,as assessed by the number of...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Kaliste, E. K., Mering, S. M., Satu, M. et al. 2006. Environmental modification and agonistic behavior in NIH/S male mice: Nesting material enhances fighting but shelters prevent it. Comparative Medicine 56(3), 202-208.