Download introduction to foraging and environmental

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Veterinary Technician
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INTRODUCTION TO FORAGING AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT FOR
EXOTIC SPECIES
Sarah Dehn, LVT
Avian & Exotic Animal Clinic of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
In the wild, exotic species spend an extensive
amount of time searching for food, building nests or
shelters, grooming, and socializing. Often when an
exotic animal is kept in captivity, it does not get the
external stimulus necessary to meet the behavioral
needs associated with these activities.
Environmental enrichment (EE) describes various
activities owners can utilize to encourage pets to mimic
behaviors in the wild. EE is tailored to each species so
that the animal’s psychological and physical needs are
met. In general, EE uses the following tools: rearranging
cage furniture, varying food type and presentation, and
increasing social interaction with others of the same
species and with owners. Often two or more types of
enrichment are used in conjunction.
TYPES OF ENRICHMENT
Specifically, EE can be broken down into the
following categories:
x
x
x
x
x
Food-based enrichment
Sensory enrichment
Novel object enrichment
Social enrichment
Training enrichment
Food-based enrichment is self-explanatory: EE using
food as the main stimulus. Food-based enrichment is
likely the most commonly used form of enrichment. In its
simplest form, food-based enrichment involves placing
the main part of the diet in places other than the food
dish. Food can be placed in crumpled paper or
commercial foraging toys and hidden throughout the
enclosure. The locations that the food is hidden should
be changed periodically to keep the challenge of
foraging for the food items. The types of food offered
should also be varied by texture, size, and shape. An
example of this would be to feed three different types of
parrot pellets instead of just one. EE is optimized when
the animal is unsure which food item will result with each
challenge.
Sensory enrichment involves stimulation of the five
senses; sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. With
sensory enrichment, items such as herbs are used to
“scent” various parts of the enclosure. The new smells
will intrigue the animal and it will spend a significant
amount of time sniffing around trying to figure out what
the new scents are. Some animals may even scent mark
to reaffirm their territorial boundaries. Different textures
such as carpet, grass mats, natural wood perches, and
gravel perches will stimulate the sense of touch. Having
these different textures in the enclosure will encourage
investigation of the new items by sniffing, chewing, and
scratching. Toys that have bells, squeakers, or rattles
will stimulate the sense of hearing. The animal will spend
time sniffing and manipulating the toy it to figure out
what it is. Sensory enrichment works in conjunction with
food based enrichment to stimulate the sense of taste by
offering a variety of foods in a variety of shapes, sizes,
and textures.
Novel object enrichment is the use of items not
normally found in the animal’s natural habitat. For
example, small pieces of PVC pipe and baby toys can
provide EE for guinea pigs. Novel objects can also
provide sensory enrichment by providing unusual colors
and textures that the animal would not normally
encounter in the wild. Care must be taken to ensure that
the novel objects are safe to use. The safety of a novel
object varies among species, and all worn or chewed
items should be replaced.
Social enrichment is extremely important for those
animals that naturally live in social groups in the wild, for
example, rats and sugar gliders. These animals do well
in groups in a pet setting, and are regularly observed
playing with and grooming each other. Research has
shown some socially bonded animals do not thrive when
kept as singles, and may develop serious behavioral
disorders; for example, self-mutilation syndrome of
singly kept sugar gliders. Owners who are unable to
provide companions for these types of animals must be
prepared to meet their social needs in the form of
significant attention and time. For animals that do not
live in social groups in the wild (hamsters, mice), the
presence of other animals in the pet setting often results
in stress, injury, or even death. In some cases,
castration of males can reduce aggression. Always
introduce animals on neutral territory and supervise the
entire process. Separate immediately if any aggression
develops. In some cases, the bonding process may take
several days to several weeks.
Training is the form of EE that is most often
overlooked by owners. This form of enrichment
increases the bond between animal and owner by
increasing positive interaction between the two. An
additional benefit of training is reinforcement of
behaviors that may facilitate and decrease stress
associated with the veterinary visit; for example, training
a parrot to step onto a perch on a scale to be weighed.
INCORPORATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
ENRICHMENT INTO THE HOME SETTING
As veterinary technicians, we must educate clients
on the importance of EE. While providing EE is time
consuming, the benefits are worth it. Animals provided
with adequate EE are well socialized, easier to handle,
and have fewer behavioral and medical problems.
Psittacines such as macaws, African greys, and
Amazon parrots are likely the most intelligent species
commonly kept as pets. Higher intelligence and complex
social structures pose an extra challenge in providing
appropriate EE. Ideal EE for parrots challenge their
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NAVC Conference 2009
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minds while reinforcing the flock member bond and
discouraging the mate bond. In the wild, birds spend
much of their time searching for food. Placing food in
different items will extend the amount of time the parrot
takes to eat and provide mental stimulation. Converting
the parrot to a diet that includes a variety of pelleted
diets, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains is of
benefit. Parrots quickly learn how to use foraging toys
but will not get bored as easily if the reward inside is
different each time. In the wild, parrots flock together
from place to place. To mimic this behavior in captivity,
owners can be taught how to set up foraging stations
where the family spends most of their time. As the family
moves throughout the house the parrot flocks with them.
Training enrichment is very important with parrots.
Teaching and reinforcing commands as simple as step
up and towel peek-a-boo make handling less stressful
and reinforces the flock member bond.
Although the rabbit has been domesticated, they still
have many wild instincts. In the wild, rabbits dig, scratch,
chew, and graze all day long. Digging can be
encouraged in captivity by providing a large box filled
with bedding or soil, carpet remnants, and grass mats
the rabbit can dig and scratch without being destructive.
Offering several different types of grassy hay as well as
fresh dark green leafy vegetables in cardboard boxes,
baskets and treat balls, will promote foraging. Training
enrichment can be used to teach a rabbit to return to its
cage upon command.
Novel object enrichment in conjunction with sensory
enrichment work well to create adequate EE for ferrets.
Ferrets enjoy carrying around and hiding little toys and
running through PVC pipe tunnels. Changing the smell
of old toys make them new again to the ferret and utilize
sensory enrichment. Ferrets are known for ingesting
objects. All novel items should be ferret-safe and
discarded if chewed.
Many of the smaller rodents have similar
environmental needs. Hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice
benefit from running wheels, bedding to burrow and dig
in, as well as tunnels to explore. They also like to chew
on wood and cardboard items. Food-based enrichment
involves hiding different foods throughout the cage. The
small rodent’s instinct for nesting can be fulfilled simply
by placing an almost empty facial tissue box in the
animal’s cage.
Reptiles benefit from EE as well. Many owners
provide basic EE to their reptile without even realizing it.
Placing branches and ledges in enclosures allow
arboreal species to climb. Feeding live crickets to
insectivorous reptiles allow hunting similar to that in the
wild.
Table 1. Specific Examples of Environmental Enrichment for Common Exotic Animal Species
Species
Parrots
Food
Sensory
Novel Object
Training
Commercial foraging toys
Food in whole form
Food hidden in common
objects: paper, paper cups, in
containers of small wooden
beads
Variety of hays
Rolling food-dispensing balls
Kabobs
Commercial hanging food
holders
Rolling food-dispensing balls
Scatter feed
Frozen food pops
Kong toys
Colorful toys
Most parrots have a
Poor sense of smell
Bells
Variety of perches
Rotate toys
Popsicle sticks
Rope
Sipper bottle
Step up and step down
Towel peek-a-boo
Vocalizations
Target training
Rattles
Grass mats
Carpet remnants
Wicker toys
Baby toys
Cardboard boxes
Newspaper
Towel wrapping
Return to cage
Oral medication
Administration
Digging box
Jingle balls
Scent old toys
Paper grocery bag
PVC pipe
Commercial toys
Plush toys
Small
Rodents
Place food far away from
sleeping area
Mazes and obstacles
Food in whole form
Food ice pops
PVC pipe
Cardboard boxes
and tubes
Running wheel
Ping pong balls
Reptiles
Feed live insects
Mimic the actions of live prey
when feeding pre-killed
Scatter feed (herbivores)
Vary feeding areas
Vary bedding
Scent mark the cage
Most small rodents
Have a poor sense Of
sight (color)
Music
Natural sunlight
Sensory modalities In
reptiles and how they
affect behavior is still
largely unknown
Litter box
Return to cage on
Command
Prevent biting
Leash
Oral medication
Administration
Hand taming
Rabbits
Ferrets
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Artificial plants
Hides
Taming
Walking on leash
Desensitizing
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Veterinary Technician
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In summary, EE is a key component in the care of
captive exotic species. As technicians, it is our job to
educate clients in the importance of EE as well as give
them the tools to provide enrichment for their pet.
2.
REFERENCES
1. Johnson-Delaney C. Practical Marsupial Medicine.
AAV Proceedings. 2006, p 51.
4.
3.
Bradley Bays T, Lightfoot T, Mayer J. Exotic Pet
Behavior. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier, 2006.
Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL. Clinical Avian Medicine
Volume 1. Palm Beach, FL: Spix Publishing 2006;
pp 46-83.
Lightfoot TL. Behavior. Vet Clin North Am Exotic
Anim Pract Behav. 2001.
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