Project: Logs

Materials

Logs: Soft or hard wood, with bark left on. Around 20" in diameter, up to about 12' long.

Instructions

Logs can provide a terrific enrichment opportunity, whether they can be rolled around, or are meant to be structural. Logs are visually and olfactory stimulating, and can provide spaces for nesting and hiding. Almost any enclosed animal would be interested in a log. Ripping the log to pieces is very enriching, and chewing it up may take several months. Hoofed stock enjoy shoving the logs around, butting and kicking them. Hippos enjoy chewing logs.

Cautions

Be sure to have any proposed items cleared by the curator and the vet, as well as checked for contaminants (hardware, insecticide). Bugs can be a plus! Think about whether shoving a log around would cause unacceptable damage to the exhibit area.

Species this can work for

-- The hippo information comes from Laurie McGivern, Dallas Zoo (ldmcg@aol.com). Other species suggestions from DBS.

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Last update 28-Jul-1999 by DBS.