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43 Veterinary Technician ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 33 44 NAVC Conference 2009 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 34 Artificial plants Hides Taming Walking on leash Desensitizing 45 Veterinary Technician ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 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. 35