Personality predicts the responses to environmental enrichment at the group but not within-groups in stereotypic African striped mice, Rhabdomys dilectus

摘要: Abstract Environmental enrichment is used to enhance the well-being of captive animals and prevent or reduce stereotypic other abnormal behaviours. However, environmental does not always succeed in its intended purpose. We investigated whether personality (i.e. consistent individual variation behaviour) predicts how African striped mice interact with enrichments, since this could explain why enrichments vary their efficacy. Stereotypic non-stereotypic individuals both sexes were tested for using three standard tests novel-object, light-dark startle-response tests) as sub-adults at 43 days age. Thereafter, introduced individually cages different complexity, i.e. Standard (standard laboratory housing, provided nest box, bedding a toilet roll), Standard-enriched (same treatment one/two cardboard tubes/Habitrail ™ PVC tunnel), Enriched (large tank box − running wheel, tubes, Habitrail tunnels balls) treatments random sequence. measured duration stereotypy, activity inactivity all treatments. At group level, showed proactive coping style, by showing greater treatment, while reactive displaying levels within-group however, varied proactivity reactivity depending on environment which they exposed. Specifically, individuals, 66% increased 34% decreased from 57% 43% stereotypy treatment. In 50% 83% Our findings provide novel evidence rodents that behavioural responses associated but level.