Influence of cage size on heart rate and behavior in rhesus monkeys

We studied 6 singly caged adult female rhesus monkeys to determine whether increased cage size had any effect on behavior or heart rate. Two monkeys at a time were placed in cages 40% larger than their standard cage for 1 week on 2 occasions, using a counter-balanced design. Direct behavioral observations were performed 75 minutes/week on each monkey. Heart rate and general activity were monitored 35 hours/week by a telemetry system. Statistically significant differences were not found in aggressive, submissive, abnormal, or self-abusive behavior, nor in time spent in the front half of the cage, duration of grooming, looking at the observer, or stereotyped or nonstereotyped locomotion. Vocalizations increased the first time in the larger cage, but not the second, and decreased upon the second return to the standard cage. Differences with respect to cage size were not found in heart rate or activity level, although there were significant variations at different times of day. We conclude that modest increases in cage size are unlikely to enrich the environment of singly caged laboratory primates.