Second Nature: Enviromental Enrichment for Captive Animals

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(as of Oct 09, 2026 08:12:58 UTC – Details)


Growing recognition of the complexity of animals’ physical, social, and psychological lives in the wild has led both zookeepers and the zoo-going public to call for higher environmental standards for animals in captivity.
Bringing together the work of animal behaviorists, zoo biologists, and psychologists, Second Nature explores a range of innovative strategies for environmental enrichment in laboratories and marine parks, as well as in zoos. From artificial fleeing-prey devices for leopards to irregular feeding schedules for whales, the practices discussed have resulted in healthier, more relaxed animals that can breed more easily and can exert some control over their environments. Moving beyond the usual studies of primates to consider the requirements of animals as diverse as reptiles, amphibians, marine mammals, small cats, hooved grazers, and bears, contributors argue that whether an animal forages in the wild or plays computer games in captivity, the satisfaction its activity provides—rather than the activity itself—determines the animal’s level of physical and psychological well-being.
Second Nature also discusses the ways in which environmental enrichment can help zoo-bred animals develop the stamina and adaptability for survival in the wild, and how it can produce healthier lab animals that yield more valid test results. Providing a theoretical framework for the science of environmental enrichment in a variety of settings, the book renews and extends a humane approach to the keeping and conservation of animals.
ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1560983973
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Smithsonian Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 1998
Edition ‏ : ‎ 61840th
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 376 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781560983972
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1560983972
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.12 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.02 x 0.75 x 9.02 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #1,543,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #418 in Animal Rights (Books) #1,203 in Animal Husbandry (Books) #1,762 in Biology of Wildlife
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