Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which of these devices would be considered a form of environmental enrichment?

1. Feeding bowls

2. Resting boards

3. Cages

4. Heating pads

The correct answer is: Resting boards

Choosing resting boards as a form of environmental enrichment is accurate because these devices provide animals with a distinct surface and elevation where they can rest, exercise, or engage in natural behaviors. Resting boards can enhance an animal’s living environment by offering additional space and complexity, which may promote physical activity and mental stimulation. This type of enrichment contributes to the overall well-being of animals, as it encourages natural behaviors that might be limited in a standard cage setting. In contrast, feeding bowls and cages serve specific, more utilitarian purposes without necessarily facilitating the behavioral variety that environmental enrichment aims to achieve. Heating pads, while beneficial for maintaining a proper temperature, primarily serve the function of comfort or health management rather than the enrichment of an animal's environment.