Environmental Enrichment

Are the effects of enrichment due to the presence of multiple items or a particular item in the cages of laboratory rat?

Although the effects of environmental enrichment on laboratory rodents have been extensively described, it is not yet known whether these effects were simply due to the presence of multiple items in the cage or due solely to the presence of...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Abou-Ismail, U. A. 2011. Are the effects of enrichment due to the presence of multiple items or a particular item in the cages of laboratory rat? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 134(1-2), 72-82.

Implementation of an enrichment rack for singly housed male nonhuman primates

The racks provide four different levels of horizontal bars where manipulanda can be hung. .. The racks are positioned in front of a 4-caged housing system. .. The enrichment racks have produced an increase in species-specific behaviors, while decreasing unwanted...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Wood, L. L., Boyd, A. M., Rose, R. et al. 2011. Implementation of an enrichment rack for singly housed male nonhuman primates. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 732 (Abstract #PS54).

Heat or insulation: Behavioral titration of mouse preference for warmth or access to a nest

In laboratories, mice are housed at 20-24C, which is below their lower critical temperature (30C). This increased thermal stress has the potential to alter scientific outcomes. Nesting material should allow for improved behavioral thermoregulation and thus alleviate this thermal stress....

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gaskill, B. N., Lucas, J. R., Pajor, E. A. et al. 2012. Heat or insulation: Behavioral titration of mouse preference for warmth or access to a nest. PLOS ONE 7(3), e32799.

Environmental enrichment and the laboratory zebrafish

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a small tropical minnow that is playing an increasingly big role in the world of scientific research. In the last year alone, researchers working with this diminutive fish from south Asia have discovered a new...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Lawrence C. 2012. Environmental enrichment and the laboratory zebrafish. The Enrichment Record 11, 11-15.

Does structural enrichment for the toxicology studies improve zebrafish welfare?

Enrichment of the environment for captive animals is aimed at producing beneficial effects on the behaviour and physiology of relevant species, and is commonly used to reduce harmful social behaviours and stereotypies. However, little work has been undertaken to develop...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Wilkes L, Owen SF, Readman GD, et al. 2012. Does structural enrichment for the toxicology studies improve zebrafish welfare? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 139(1-2), 143-150.

Glucocorticoid metabolites in rabbit faeces – Influence of environmental enrichment and cage size

The concentration of glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) in rabbit faeces has been suggested as a non-invasive indicator of stress. In the present study, GCM concentrations were measured in faeces of fattening rabbits kept in groups of eight, at seven different stocking...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Buijs, S., Maertens, L., Tuyttens, F. A. M. et al. 2011. Glucocorticoid metabolites in rabbit faeces - Influence of environmental enrichment and cage size. Physiology & Behavior 104(3), 469-473.

Environmental enrichment of New Zealand white rabbits living in laboratory cages

The primary goal of environmental enrichment should be the avoidance of abnormal behaviors in laboratory animals such as rodents, lagomorphs, dogs, cats, and nonhuman primates. A total of 13 male single-housed New Zealand White rabbits were offered 3 different toys,...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Poggiagliolmi, S., Crowell-Davis, S. L., Alworth, L. C. et al. 2011. Environmental enrichment of New Zealand white rabbits living in laboratory cages. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 6(6), 343-350.

Aggression and welfare in a common aquarium fish, the Midas cichlid

Many species of fishes are aggressive when placed in small aquaria. Aggression can negatively affect the welfare of those individuals toward whom it is directed. Animals may behave aggressively in order to defend resources such as food, shelter, mates, and...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Oldfield, R. G. 2011. Aggression and welfare in a common aquarium fish, the Midas cichlid. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 14(4), 340-360.

Environmental enrichment reduces the likelihood of alopecia in adult C57BL/6J mice

Barbering (incessant grooming) is an abnormal behavior causing alopecia and commonly affects various strains of laboratory mice, including C57BL/6J. Barbering-induced alopecia is a potential symptom of brain impairment and can indicate a stressful environment. We compared alopecia prevalence and severity...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Bechard, A., Meagher, R., Mason, G. 2011. Environmental enrichment reduces the likelihood of alopecia in adult C57BL/6J mice. JAALAS 50(2), 71-74.

The effects of enriching laboratory cages using various physical structures on multiple measures of welfare in singly-housed rats

The single housing of laboratory rats may be recommended in some situations such as hypothesis-driven or test-specific studies, during electroencephalogram recording of phases of sleep and after surgical procedures. However, as single housing of laboratory rats has been shown to...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Abou-Ismail, U. A., Mahboub, H. D. 2011. The effects of enriching laboratory cages using various physical structures on multiple measures of welfare in singly-housed rats. Laboratory Animals 45(3), 145-153.