Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
2001-5-16
pubmed:abstractText
The impact of a foraging enrichment device, the "mealworm feeder," on the behavior of the common marmoset was examined. In 3-h weekly exposures to the wormfeeder device, behavioral observations were conducted to compare the rates of feeder use, use of other enrichment devices, stereotyped behavior, and inactivity, to those of control sessions in which the enrichment device was not provided. Significantly decreased rates of pacing and time spent sitting still were observed in association with placement of the mealworm feeder. Feeder use declined over a period of 3 h, even if the feeders' contents were not fully depleted, and the effects of enrichment on activity waned in a like fashion. Use of other enrichment devices, comprised primarily of cage furniture, increased in the presence of the mealworm feeder. This effect did not change significantly over the 3 h of exposure even though use of the feeder declined. There was significant variation in feeder use among sex and housing condition, with females housed singly and in peer groups using the feeders significantly more than did males, whereas subadults used the feeder significantly more often than did either the dominant female or male in family groups. The results of this study suggest that the mealworm feeder is an effective form of environmental enrichment for the common marmoset, but interest wanes after approximately 3 h.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
1060-0558
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
40
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
26-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2003-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2001
pubmed:articleTitle
Mealworm feeders as environmental enrichment for common marmosets.
pubmed:affiliation
Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Poolesville, Maryland 20837, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article