enrichment Ideas for Porcupine

[Cahaba Critters]

We have an African Crested Porcupine we raised. We just finished his outdoor enclosure, where he has opportunity to dig in dirt. However we are looking for enrichment activities to add to his environment.

Any Ideas of what we can do that is goo for him.

 

[Aardwolf]

We have an African Crested Porcupine we raised. We just finished his outdoor enclosure, where he has opportunity to dig in dirt. However we are looking for enrichment activities to add to his environment.

Any Ideas of what we can do that is goo for him.

Things to chew on (such as deer antlers) are always popular, as is burying food items. Large food items, like whole sweet potatoes, take longer to consume than chopped ones, so I'd go for larger food objects. Some facilities have harness-trained their porcs for walks on zoo grounds, which provides a lot of stimulation and enrichment, as well as providing an interesting guest experience.

For more detailed results, I'd recommend checking one of the zookeeper facebook groups (Zookreepers, You Know You're a Zookeeper One, Rodent Keepers) and either asking there or doing a search for enrichment ideas.

 

[mrcriss]

. Some facilities have harness-trained their porcs for walks on zoo grounds, which provides a lot of stimulation and enrichment, as well as providing an interesting guest experience..

Do you really think that putting a wild animal on a lead and taking it for a walk around busy public areas is enriching for the animal?

Or is that just for the zoos benefit?

 

[equidae]

A variety of substrates (e.g., pine needles, some sand); branches and logs to gnaw on, or bones in moderation; a variety of browse; puzzles to hide food in (e.g. a cardboard box with small holes or filled with bits of newspaper); burying food just under the substrate; lifting pieces of food above the ground; drilling holes in logs and branches to stuff food into; clicker training sessions and going for walks; adding novel scents to parts of the enclosure every once in a while

 

[equidae]

Do you really think that putting a wild animal on a lead and taking it for a walk around busy public areas is enriching for the animal?

Or is that just for the zoos benefit?

Walks can be enriching if done at a quiet time, and if the animal is allowed to decide on direction and is given plenty of time to sniff or inspect anything of interest.

 

[Aardwolf]

Do you really think that putting a wild animal on a lead and taking it for a walk around busy public areas is enriching for the animal?

Or is that just for the zoos benefit?

Seemed like a somewhat charged take on what I said, but ok, let's explore that...

The basis of enrichment should be to ask what the animal's natural behavior is and what it would be spending its hours doing in the wild, and then asking how we can replicate that in a zoo.

In the wild, crested porcupines spend hours each night walking as they forage. No zoo enclosure for this species is large enough to replicate this behavior, so for cases in which animals can be removed from their enclosure in a safe, stress-free manner to explore a larger area, get some exercise, experience different sensory input, walk on different substrates, etc - yes, I'd say that's beneficial to them. That's different that straight up making the animal an educational ambassador, which is an entirely different conversation.

I've had some animals that we've tried this with (not porcupines) that did not respond well to these enrichment sessions - they found it too stressful and just wanted to go back to the enclosure - so we stopped doing it for them. Others seemed to benefit from them greatly. In other situations, I've put animals in the (empty) enclosures of other species to allow them to explore that space (this one is really going to come down to how risk-averse your vet is - I've had some who have loved the idea and some who have swooned as soon as I mentioned it). You just have to know your animal and be willing to make decisions based on the information that they're providing you and adjust plans accordingly.

 

[equidae]

I've had some animals that we've tried this with (not porcupines) that did not respond well to these enrichment sessions - they found it too stressful and just wanted to go back to the enclosure - so we stopped doing it for them. Others seemed to benefit from them greatly. In other situations, I've put animals in the (empty) enclosures of other species to allow them to explore that space (this one is really going to come down to how risk-averse your vet is - I've had some who have loved the idea and some who have swooned as soon as I mentioned it). You just have to know your animal and be willing to make decisions based on the information that they're providing you and adjust plans accordingly.

Out of curiosity, what species did you find didn’t respond to it?

 

[Aardwolf]

Out of curiosity, what species did you find didn’t respond to it?

I’m specifically thinking of an aardvark that I worked with. To be fair to the animal, I don’t think we set him up for success - the initial introductions to the concept of outside access and walks were too abrupt and too sudden, and he wasn’t given the chance to move ahead and his own pace. There was a lot less understanding and application of choice-driven welfare back in those days. Given the same individual today with all we’ve learned since, I think we would have had a better outcome.

 

[mrcriss]

Walks can be enriching if done at a quiet time, and if the animal is allowed to decide on direction and is given plenty of time to sniff or inspect anything of interest.

I don't know that I agree to be honest. It seems to be a thing in the US currently but isn't done over here. The videos I've seen are of "ambassador animals" which let's face it are usually taken from mum pre-weaning for taming down and then paraded around on a lead...and not always at quiet times. So is this really done for the animal's benefit? Would a porcupine really be pleased about being fitted with a harness over its quills when it could be provided with a spacious enclosure and enough engaging enrichment within? Maybe it's just me that doesn't see the benefit.

 

[Perseus6]

I don't know that I agree to be honest. It seems to be a thing in the US currently but isn't done over here. The videos I've seen are of "ambassador animals" which let's face it are usually taken from mum pre-weaning for taming down and then paraded around on a lead...and not always at quiet times. So is this really done for the animal's benefit? Would a porcupine really be pleased about being fitted with a harness over its quills when it could be provided with a spacious enclosure and enough engaging enrichment within? Maybe it's just me that doesn't see the benefit.

To be fair in EU zoos and the UK you do have certain zoos even within the EAZA realm that have similar programs. You have to realize that you are mixing issues.
You have zoos that do indeed separate the animals from their mothers pre weening. Most of these zoos are roadside and try to mask animal welfare for exploitation. However plenty of zoos use animal "shows" for the benefit of their animals (using orphans or rescue animals). Only showing natural behavior and medical check up commands, that benefit the animal. You also have to separate the walking on a leash. Most zoos allow animals to explore the zoo on a leash when no visitors are there. However this does depend on the species the zoo and the individual and so on.
Even if an animal has the best enclosure possible, it can be enriching to explore the zoo and interact with other animals not just for the animal walking, but the animals watching as well. A change of environment allowing to explore smell and move can be beneficial. If we realize that we are biased as humans to project our own thoughts and feeling on animals(Anthropomorphism) we could move past what we think and what is actually beneficial to the animal.
To come back to the porcupines their quills are like hair so wearing a holster to go for a walk are not an issue. I would say try it out try as much out as you can. You can buy dog toys and a ball even. It's always beneficial to join groups of zoo keepers for inspiration and to exchange your ideas and findings. I would recommend some scratching stages, you can use brooms, and wood. You can also use paper and cardboard to pack veggies making pinatas or so. Adding branches of certain trees are also beneficial, willow would always be a favorite. Adding some different substrates like a sand pit, some grass and vegetation is important also look to add an area with shade.
If you have some questions or would like some papers you can always ask me.
And finally check this best practice guideline out Husbandry Standards For Keeping Porcupines In Captivity
Good luck!

 

[equidae]

I don't know that I agree to be honest. It seems to be a thing in the US currently but isn't done over here. The videos I've seen are of "ambassador animals" which let's face it are usually taken from mum pre-weaning for taming down and then paraded around on a lead...and not always at quiet times. So is this really done for the animal's benefit? Would a porcupine really be pleased about being fitted with a harness over its quills when it could be provided with a spacious enclosure and enough engaging enrichment within? Maybe it's just me that doesn't see the benefit.

Sounds like you're basing your views off a biased sample then. You're unlikely to find videos of walks outside of opening hours, where the keepers are prioritising not pushing the animal out the learning zone.

A few dodgy zoos doesn't mean that walks themselves are or aren't enriching. That'll depend on the species, individual animal and, above all else, the training method. As long as the animal has choice, and therefore knows it can get away from any stressors, then the exercise can be enriching through the presence of novel sights, smells, textures, as well as the satiation of curiosity in itself.

 

[Cahaba Critters]

Things to chew on (such as deer antlers) are always popular, as is burying food items. Large food items, like whole sweet potatoes, take longer to consume than chopped ones, so I'd go for larger food objects. Some facilities have harness-trained their porcs for walks on zoo grounds, which provides a lot of stimulation and enrichment, as well as providing an interesting guest experience.

For more detailed results, I'd recommend checking one of the zookeeper facebook groups (Zookreepers, You Know You're a Zookeeper One, Rodent Keepers) and either asking there or doing a search for enrichment ideas.

Do you think a year old is to old to start harness training?

 

[Cahaba Critters]

A variety of substrates (e.g., pine needles, some sand); branches and logs to gnaw on, or bones in moderation; a variety of browse; puzzles to hide food in (e.g. a cardboard box with small holes or filled with bits of newspaper); burying food just under the substrate; lifting pieces of food above the ground; drilling holes in logs and branches to stuff food into; clicker training sessions and going for walks; adding novel scents to parts of the enclosure every once in a while

I was worried about newspaper or cardboard due to him posibly eating it, so thats oK? Also I like the idea of logs but not sure of what trees our safe ( Live in the southern US)

 

[equidae]

I was worried about newspaper or cardboard due to him posibly eating it, so thats oK? Also I like the idea of logs but not sure of what trees our safe ( Live in the southern US)

In the UK, our newspapers use non-toxic ink so it's safe. I'm not sure what the situation is where you are; you could probably ask your local newspaper company.

With cardboard and newspaper, the amount they take in just nibbling is okay. If he were to start ingesting large amounts, that's when you'd want to limit how much time he gets with it or use something different.

Off the top of my head, log wise: apple, willow, birch, pear, cottonwood.Avoid any oily wood that hasn't been dried/heat treated, and any plywoods.

 

[Cahaba Critters]

In the UK, our newspapers use non-toxic ink so it's safe. I'm not sure what the situation is where you are; you could probably ask your local newspaper company.

With cardboard and newspaper, the amount they take in just nibbling is okay. If he were to start ingesting large amounts, that's when you'd want to limit how much time he gets with it or use something different.

Off the top of my head, log wise: apple, willow, birch, pear, cottonwood.Avoid any oily wood that hasn't been dried/heat treated, and any plywoods.

We have alot of Pine, Spruce, Oak, Walnut , Sugar Maple trees around here

 

[equidae]

We have alot of Pine, Spruce, Oak, Walnut , Sugar Maple trees around here

Sugar maple's safe. Pine has to be heat-treated (it's an oily wood). Not sure about the others.

 

[Aardwolf]

Do you think a year old is to old to start harness training?

I wouldn't think so.

 

[mrcriss]

To be fair in EU zoos and the UK you do have certain zoos even within the EAZA realm that have similar programs. You have to realize that you are mixing issues.
You have zoos that do indeed separate the animals from their mothers pre weening. Most of these zoos are roadside and try to mask animal welfare for exploitation. However plenty of zoos use animal "shows" for the benefit of their animals (using orphans or rescue animals). Only showing natural behavior and medical check up commands, that benefit the animal. You also have to separate the walking on a leash. Most zoos allow animals to explore the zoo on a leash when no visitors are there. However this does depend on the species the zoo and the individual and so on.
Even if an animal has the best enclosure possible, it can be enriching to explore the zoo and interact with other animals not just for the animal walking, but the animals watching as well. A change of environment allowing to explore smell and move can be beneficial. If we realize that we are biased as humans to project our own thoughts and feeling on animals(Anthropomorphism) we could move past what we think and what is actually beneficial to the animal.
To come back to the porcupines their quills are like hair so wearing a holster to go for a walk are not an issue. I would say try it out try as much out as you can. You can buy dog toys and a ball even. It's always beneficial to join groups of zoo keepers for inspiration and to exchange your ideas and findings. I would recommend some scratching stages, you can use brooms, and wood. You can also use paper and cardboard to pack veggies making pinatas or so. Adding branches of certain trees are also beneficial, willow would always be a favorite. Adding some different substrates like a sand pit, some grass and vegetation is important also look to add an area with shade.
If you have some questions or would like some papers you can always ask me.
And finally check this best practice guideline out Husbandry Standards For Keeping Porcupines In Captivity
Good luck!

I just don't think it is only the so-called "roadside zoos" that do this....I see it with several of the American big hitters too. There are a few odd things happening at the moment in the US; whether it be the aforementioned rearing animals to be more tame and therefore "walkable" (which isn't really enriching unless the animal goes outside of it's own volition...not in a harness) to the dousing in chemicals for gift shop paintings (non-toxic paint is still a chemical...I saw a keeper asking which paints to use for an octopus the other day....an aquatic animal where the paint will literally pollute their environment)...all in the name of enrichment! It does make me wonder whether these zoos are going too far to exploit their charges when I'm sure the guests would be just as happy watching the animals in their enclosures?

 

[birdsandbats]

I just don't think it is only the so-called "roadside zoos" that do this....I see it with several of the American big hitters too. There are a few odd things happening at the moment in the US; whether it be the aforementioned rearing animals to be more tame and therefore "walkable" (which isn't really enriching unless the animal goes outside of it's own volition...not in a harness) to the dousing in chemicals for gift shop paintings (non-toxic paint is still a chemical...I saw a keeper asking which paints to use for an octopus the other day....an aquatic animal where the paint will literally pollute their environment)...all in the name of enrichment! It does make me wonder whether these zoos are going too far to exploit their charges when I'm sure the guests would be just as happy watching the animals in their enclosures?

The animals sure wouldn't be just as happy without that valuable enrichment.

What's the problem with non-toxic paints? They are non-toxic after all - if the individual animal doesn't mind, what's the issue? Same question for walks.

How is taking a porcupine for a walk different from taking a dog for a walk? I hope you aren't claiming that people who walk their dogs are commiting animal abuse.

 

[TinoPup]

I just don't think it is only the so-called "roadside zoos" that do this....I see it with several of the American big hitters too. There are a few odd things happening at the moment in the US; whether it be the aforementioned rearing animals to be more tame and therefore "walkable" (which isn't really enriching unless the animal goes outside of it's own volition...not in a harness) to the dousing in chemicals for gift shop paintings (non-toxic paint is still a chemical...I saw a keeper asking which paints to use for an octopus the other day....an aquatic animal where the paint will literally pollute their environment)...all in the name of enrichment! It does make me wonder whether these zoos are going too far to exploit their charges when I'm sure the guests would be just as happy watching the animals in their enclosures?

Literally everything is a chemical (except elements, which make chemicals). You are made up of chemicals. You breathe a chemical. You eat chemicals. Octopus paintings are only done when they're deceased. Painting is very enriching for the animals and is COMPLETELY SAFE.