Environmental enrichment with simple puzzle feeders increases feeding time in fly river turtles (Carettochelys insculpta)

摘要

Traditionally, enrichment has been associated mainly with mammalian and avian subjects in captivity, to promote natural behaviours, but developments are continually being made in its application to lower vertebrates. Here we outline the use of puzzle feeders for enriching captive Fly River turtles (Carettochelys insculpta) in order to prolong feeding activity. This method is applicable to other species of aquatic turtles, as feeding time was significantly increased by 35 minutes.