Environmental Enrichment

The role of novelty in environmental enrichment for the weaned pig

Habituation to environmental enrichment objects can occur rapidly. Novelty of an object is an important property involved in initiating and maintaining exploration, and this can be achieved by renewing objects. The aims of this study were to assess whether alternation...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Trickett, S. L., Guy, J. H., Edwards, S. A. 2009. The role of novelty in environmental enrichment for the weaned pig 116, 45-51.

Activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling by cotton balls used for environmental enrichment

Dioxins are nearly ubiquitous environmental contaminants that are produced as byproducts during industrial processes, including the bleaching of paper and textiles. Contamination of animal bedding material with dioxins has been a concern for both laboratory and farm animals. The objective...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Tischkau, S. A., Mukai, M. 2009. Activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling by cotton balls used for environmental enrichment . Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 48(4), 357-362.

Effects of environmental enrichment on the amyotrophic lateral sclerois mouse model

The manner in which an animal's environment is furnished may have significant implications for animal welfare as well as research outcomes. We evaluated four different housing conditions to determine the effects of what has been considered standard rodent enrichment and...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sorrells, D. A., Corcoran-Gomez, K., Eckert, K. A. et al. 2009. Effects of environmental enrichment on the amyotrophic lateral sclerois mouse model. Lab Animal 43, 182-190.

Preferences of minipigs for environmental enrichment objects

The minipig is an increasingly popular species for use in behavioral and toxicologic studies. As a result, quantification of environmental enrichment preferences for this species is especially important. We exposed 6 individually housed prepubertal female Yucatan minipigs to 1 of...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Smith, M. E., Gopee, N. V., Ferguson, S. A. 2009. Preferences of minipigs for environmental enrichment objects. JAALAS 48(4), 391-394.

Investigating enrichment preferences for CD-1 mice housed in wire-bottom cages

Mice rarely slept in the houses and chewed toys initially with usage dropping off after a few days. Mice given nesting materials tended to stay in their nests. Many were found asleep at the daily clinical observations time and were...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Romaine, A. E. 2009. Investigating enrichment preferences for CD-1 mice housed in wire-bottom cages. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 105 (Abstract).

What is the Next Step for Environmental Enrichment? Enrichment Record (online publication) 1

Great advances have been made in determining how to effectively enrich an animal's environment. It is time for environmental enrichment to mature, beyond the initial period of exploration and into universal, mainstream application. Currently, enrichment programs vary greatly in theirdevelopment...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Patterson-Kane, E. 2009. What is the Next Step for Environmental Enrichment? Enrichment Record (online publication) 1.

Decline in aggression in cotton rats through the use of enrichment

The cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) presents a unique susceptibility towards human pathogens and is currently used in studies of human respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, and parainfluenza virus. Though valuable, this animal model has earned a challenging reputation with husbandry, veterinary,...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Neubauer, T. L., Zabriskie, R., Buckmaster, C. A. 2009. Decline in aggression in cotton rats through the use of enrichment. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 609 (Abstract #P157).

The effect of feeding enrichment on the Moloch gibbon (Hylobates Moloch)

Study concluded that feeding devices may offer a viable form of environmental enrichment.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Gibbon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Wells, D. L., Irwin, R. M. 2009. The effect of feeding enrichment on the Moloch gibbon (Hylobates Moloch). Applied Animal Welfare Science 12, 21-29.

Toward a predictive theory for environmental enrichment

There have been many applications of and successes with environmental enrichment for captive animals. The theoretical spine upon which much enrichment work hangs largely describes why enrichment should work. Yet, there remains no clear understanding of how enrichment should be...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Watters, J. V. 2009. Toward a predictive theory for environmental enrichment. Zoo Biology 28, 609-622.

Efficacy of auditory enrichment in a prosimian primate (Otolemur garnettii)

Neither stereotypy nor grooming varied as a result of exposure to music.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Hanbury, D. B., Fontenot, M. B., Highfill, L. E. et al. 2009. Efficacy of auditory enrichment in a prosimian primate (Otolemur garnettii). Lab Animal 38(4), 122-125.