Environmental Enrichment

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.

The effects of rearing condition and enrichment on laboratory mouse immune response, health, and behavior

Animals in the enriched condition did have greater variation for any particular measurement (thymocyte populations).

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Hutchinson, E. K., Avery, A., Van de Woude, S. 2006. The effects of rearing condition and enrichment on laboratory mouse immune response, health, and behavior. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 174 (Abstract).

Development of perching behaviour in chicks reared in enriched environment

In this experiment, we studied individual differences in start of perching behaviour and if environmental enrichment enhances perching at an early age. there seems to be an association between the early start of perch use and the later use of...

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

Citation: Heikkila, M., Wichman, A., Gunnarsson, S. et al. 2006. Development of perching behaviour in chicks reared in enriched environment. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 99(1-2), 145-156 .

Environmental Enrichment for Dogs

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Haug, L. I. 2006. Environmental Enrichment for Dogs. Texas Veterinary Behavior Services, Sugar Land, TX.

Enrichment Program for Lemurs

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Lemur, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Flores, J. P. 2006. Enrichment Program for Lemurs. Shape of Enrichment 15, 3.