Natural Behavior

Effects of flight restraint and housing conditions on feather corticosterone in white storks under human care

Flight is part of the natural behaviours of most bird species, and as a consequence, flight restraint in zoos, even for those species that are primarily ground-dwelling, encounters increasing animal welfare concerns. While previous studies on greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus)...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Other Bird

Citation: Liermann, F., Baumgartner, K., Simon, R. et al. 2025. Effects of flight restraint and housing conditions on feather corticosterone in white storks under human care. Animals 15(13), 1878.

Affective responses and behavioral strategies to social fusion events in zoo-housed bonobos

Species with fission-fusion dynamics may face heightened social tension during fusion events due to relationship insecurity and competition over resources. Affective consequences of such events are important determinants for behavioral responses, yet remain poorly understood. To evaluate the affective consequences...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Natural Behavior, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Laméris, D. W., Verspeek, J., Salas, M. et al. 2025. Affective responses and behavioral strategies to social fusion events in zoo-housed bonobos. Animal Behavior and Cognition 12(3), 300–329.

Evidence of play behavior in captive California two-spot octopuses, Octopus bimaculoides

Play is considered to be an essential part of development that supports learning, memory, and the development of flexible behavioral strategies. It may also serve as an informative factor in assessing an animal’s welfare state and in improving care and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Cephalopod, Invertebrate

Citation: Jarmoluk, K., Pelled, G. 2025. Evidence of play behavior in captive California two-spot octopuses, Octopus bimaculoides. PLOS ONE 20(7), e0326379.

Chew sticks, do mice really care?

There are various chewing enrichments on the market for small rodents. In this study we focused on comparing two types, T-Brick and Aspen to see which product enabled more natural chewing behaviours in several strains of mice. A rack of...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Higginson, K. 2025. Chew sticks, do mice really care? Animal Technology and Welfare 24(2), 185–187.

Behavioral and spatial analysis of a Symphalangus syndactylus pair in a controlled environment

For the effective management of captive animals, monitoring their behavior and interactions within the exhibit is essential. This approach provides insights into their welfare and helps identify behavioral differences compared to conspecifics in the wild. This ex situ study aimed...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Gibbon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Carpino, C., Castiglioni, R., Sacchet, E. et al. 2025. Behavioral and spatial analysis of a Symphalangus syndactylus pair in a controlled environment. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 6(2), 23.

From Fish to Mice to Monkeys in Research: Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Well-being

This chapter focuses mainly on animals in medical research. Many, especially the smaller species such as rat, mice, and zebrafish, may be seen only a few minutes a day by their human caregivers. Most laboratory animals are kept in confinement...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Regulations & Ethical Review, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: All/General, Fish, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Rat, Rodent, Zebrafish

Citation: Serageldine, C. E., Robinson-Junker, A., Alvino, G. et al. 2025. From Fish to Mice to Monkeys in Research: Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Well-being. In Mental Health and Well-being in Animals (pp. 308–322).

Managed care of naked mole-rats

Naked mole-rats are a burgeoning model species in the field of biomedical research and are also housed at many zoos throughout the world. These mammals possess many traits that have a large impact on the way that they are kept...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Identification Method, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Relocation & Transport, Reproduction, RestraintAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Smith, M., Buffenstein, R. 2021. Managed care of naked mole-rats. In: R. Buffenstein, T. J. Park, & M. M. Holmes (Eds.), The Extraordinary Biology of the Naked Mole-Rat (pp. 381–407). Springer International Publishing.

Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals

This 30-chapter volume informs students and professionals about the behavioral biology of animals commonly housed in laboratory and other captive settings. Each species evolved under specific environmental conditions, resulting in unique behavioral patterns, many of which are maintained in captivity...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Baboon, Capuchin, Cat, Cattle, Chicken, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Ferret, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Salamander, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Coleman, K., Schapiro, S. J. (Eds.) 2022. Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals (1st Ed.). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 560 p.

Key concepts for enhancing zoo animal welfare: Coping, comfort, choice, control, challenge, and compassion

Zoo animal welfare is subject to increasing scrutiny by many audiences. Although zoo husbandry and management techniques have progressed, common welfare issues are still apparent. To encourage further improvements, converting theoretical welfare definition into practical application is key. This paper...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Natural Behavior, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Rose, P. E., Lewton, J. 2025. Key concepts for enhancing zoo animal welfare: Coping, comfort, choice, control, challenge, and compassion. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 28(3), 497–514.

Regular play opportunities during the grow-finish phase improve pig trainability and learning in a cognitive bias test

Promoting play behaviour could enhance pig welfare in intensive production systems. Play is associated with positive emotions, and regular play opportunities may positively alter pigs’ affective states. The affective state of pigs can be indirectly assessed through a behavioural test...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Steinerová, K., Parker, S. E., Seddon, Y. M. 2025. Regular play opportunities during the grow-finish phase improve pig trainability and learning in a cognitive bias test. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 283, 106502.