Lutz Corrine K, Brown Tara A
Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas;, Email:
Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas.
J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2018 Mar 1;57(2):134-137.
Effective environmental enrichment is used by animals, promotes species-typical behavior, and decreases abnormal behavior. Porches attached to the front of an animal's cage provide additional space, perching opportunities, and a better view of the surroundings. Here we assessed the effectiveness of porches as a form of enrichment and identified characteristics of the animals most likely to use the porches. We videorecorded and scored the behavior of 18 (9 male, 9 female) singly housed cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) during 3 observation intervals (15 min each) the week before, during, and after exposure to the porches. Changes in abnormal and tension-related behaviors (pacing, yawning, scratching) and speciestypical behaviors were compared across the 3 wk of observation. Novel object temperament tests were performed before and after the study. During observation periods, subjects spent an average of 75% of time in the porch. No changes in pacing or tension-related behaviors occurred, but activity decreased during and after porch exposure, rest increased during the porch exposure, and consumption decreased afterward. Eight subjects were categorized as having a bold temperament, and the remaining 10 subjects had an intermediate temperament. Sex and a temperament×cage location interaction were predictors of porch usage. Males used the porches more than did females, and those with an intermediate temperament were less likely to use the porches when they were located in the lower cages. Porches are beneficial in that they are used for extensive periods of time, but the benefits can vary according to the individual animal.
有效的环境富集被动物所利用，可促进物种典型行为，并减少异常行为。连接在动物笼子前部的门廊提供了额外的空间、栖息机会以及对周围环境更好的视野。在此，我们评估了门廊作为一种富集形式的有效性，并确定了最有可能使用门廊的动物特征。我们在18只（9只雄性，9只雌性）单独饲养的食蟹猕猴（Macaca fascicularis）接触门廊前一周、接触期间和接触后的3个观察时段（每个时段15分钟）对其行为进行了录像和评分。比较了3周观察期内异常行为和紧张相关行为（踱步、打哈欠、抓挠）以及物种典型行为的变化。在研究前后进行了新物体气质测试。在观察期间，受试者平均有75%的时间待在门廊里。踱步或紧张相关行为没有变化，但在接触门廊期间和之后活动减少，在接触门廊期间休息增加，之后进食减少。8只受试者被归类为具有大胆的气质，其余10只受试者具有中等气质。性别和气质×笼子位置的相互作用是门廊使用情况的预测因素。雄性比雌性更多地使用门廊，并且当门廊位于较低的笼子时，具有中等气质的个体使用门廊的可能性较小。门廊的好处在于它们被长时间使用，但好处可能因个体动物而异。
