Module 07 - Environmental Enrichment

Opportunities and Structure for Exercise

Space for exercise is important, particularly in young animals.  Animals like to run or hop and this is important for bone and muscle development.  Space alone is usually not enough as can be seen in the pacing of some large cats in zoos.  There should be structures within the space to allow climbing, stretching, swinging, etc.  Even relatively small structures within a cage will be used for exploration.  Mice are often seen clinging upside-down to the food hopper.