Does more space mean a more enriched environment?
Nancy J. Fiscus and W. Ray Stricklin, University of Maryland, College Park,
MD
For captive animals, an increased quantity of space does not necessarily
mean a more enriched environment because space has both quantitative and
qualitative aspects. The quantity of space should be sufficient for an
animal to perform given behaviors and to have adequate personal distance
between animals. However, the most efficient design does not have more
space than will be utilized. The spatial quality of an enclosure can be
improved by increasing the complexity of the environment and the control
that the animal has over its environment, and through modification of features
of the enclosure such as the amount of perimeter, enclosure shape, and
location and availability of resources within the enclosure. Defining appropriate
space requirements for animals should address both the quantitative and
qualitative aspects of space.