Animal behavior research and observation

Observing animal behavior is done in a wide variety of research areas, from fundamental neurosciences to wildlife behavior studies or farm animal welfare studies. Explore a range of diverse topics in animal behavior research. From social interactions to genetic influences, gain a comprehensive understanding of animal behavior in various contexts and in various species.

chickenstress-project

ChickenStress project

The abolition of battery farming has improved chicken welfare, but there are still problems like feather pecking. In the ChickenStress project, we will try to understand better how to reduce stress and improve welfare.
animal-behavior-research-blogs

Top 10 Animal behavior research blogs

Let’s start 2019 with looking at the most popular blog posts on animal behavior research from last year. Our top 10 animal behavior blog posts from 2018.
blood-sugar-rewarding-effect-smoking

Normalization of blood sugar reduces enhanced rewarding effect of smoking

Why are the rewarding effects of nicotine greater in diabetic rats?
parasitic-infection-memory-mice

The effects of parasitic infections on learning and memory in mice

Worm infections can cause cognitive problems. But it’s unclear if it affects learning, memory, or both.
new-rat-model-neonatal-white-matter-injury

A new rat model for neonatal white matter injury

Preterm birth is a major problem in neonatal healthcare. Erik van Tilborg developed a new animal model to closely mimic this clinical situation, an important step in finding new treatment options.
anabolic-steroids-rat-study

Exercise vs anabolic steroids: a rat study

A recent study shows that the use of anabolic steroids diminishes the positive effects of exercise in rats.
tracking-chickens

Tracking chickens: A promising approach for identifying feather-peckers

Manually observing chickens in barns is a tedious job to which ultra-wideband tracking offers a solution. But does it interfere with normal behavior?
ir-backlight-rodent-behavioral-testing

IR backlight in rodent behavioral testing

How do mice act in complete darkness? Ann-Kristina Fritz and her colleagues ordered a large, round open field with IR backlight, custom made by Noldus, to investigate.
data-integration-horse-studies

Brain & behavior: data integration in horse studies

EEG recordings – they produce useful data, but are not always easy to obtain in animal studies. You can’t really ask a horse to sit still, so these researchers invented a promising new system for EEG recording.
behavioral-tests-select-police-horses

Behavioral tests to select police horses

The personality of police horses influences how well they do in their ‘job’. That’s why personality tests are important for both animal and human welfare and safety.