Hello Everyone! Here is a summary of some of the responses I received to my queries involving enrichment some time ago. My apologies for taking so long, I was out of town for a while and am only now reviewing and compiling some of the many useful responses I received. A few people expressed an interest in a summary, so here they are. Many thanks to all of you, I hope that others find some of this information helpful. (I wrote asking about sticky substances, sunlamps and mirrors as enrichment tools wayyyy back on 10/26).
Just a side note: I didn't receive much information regarding the sunlamps, except to say that the UVA is harmful. I realized that perhaps I needed to be more specific: the lamps we are using are called "Basking Spot Lamps", and they do provide UVA rays, focusing the light into a small area so that the animals can get out of it easily. The purpose is solely to provide a warm, light basking area (some of the lower cages are pretty dark), not specifically to induce vitamin D conversion. I invite any additional comment on these lamps and any references you might know of regarding damaging effects they might have. They only get used 1-2 times per week at 10-15 minute sessions.
Best wishes, Katie
******** The mirrors in question are a real pain! The mirrors that I bought for the Rhesus macaques that I used to care for absolutely loved the mirrors but would bite the reflective backing until little was left. And yes, the stainless steel surfaces do scratch and lose reflectivity. When the plastic mirrors deteriorated (rapidly), I called the supplier who said that everyone else had the problem and that the mirrors would be discontinued. Couldn't they be covered with a non-toxic finish??? No. They must meet US Department of Agriculture standards. Hope we're not stuck due to regulations. If any subscribers from USDA have any suggestions other than flimsy plastic mirrors and stailess steel surfaces, let us know. If anyone else has suggestions, let us in on them. Here is what I used as a substitute: if you can find a stainless steel feeding bowl for small animals that have a highly reflective surface, use that! The monkeys would pick it up, examine the reflection on the bottom and sides, manipulate the reflection (fat monkey, skinny monkey), and vocalize, "OOOO!".
