Module 07 - Environmental Enrichment

Opportunities to Hide

Most laboratory animals appreciate a place to hide, whether it be from cage mates, people or unexpected noises.  Even within gregarious species, individuals may require a place to get away.  Thus, where possible, animals should have a place within the cage where they feel safe.  This may be a dark corner or it may be a sight barrier (e.g. tubes, overturned containers), which allows them to look for the cause of their alarm without revealing themselves.  Chickens preferred sight barriers made of vertical slats with small spaces between the slats.  Disputes among animals often end when the "chasee" gets out of the sight of the chaser.  Unexpected noises are common in animal facilities and may be startling to animals.  The natural tendency for the prey species is to hide while they try to determine the source of the noise.  Large human figures peering into cages may also be frightening, causing the animals to seek refuge.  If there is nowhere safe to hide, the animals will be stressed.