However, it must be stressed that, along with all enrichment devices, it may not be effective for all species with core cages proving to be a too much of a challenge for the lemurs if the cabbage is hung up but much better utilised when simply left on the ground. When choosing a novel object for a monkey the main consideration to make is if the monkey can injure itself with the object Remember that monkeys are very destructive so ensure that once they destroy the object it does not become harmful . Buttons and zips muse always be removed from clothing. The sort of items that are particularly suitable are old clothes, basketware, children's toys made of hard plastic or wood etc. Charity shops will often donate the items they cannot sell directly.
Novel objects are particularly suitable for the more intelligent species of monkey.
Species of macaques and guenons often show interest in a novel object for a considerable length of time. The different textures, smells and shapes of objects seem to provide considerable interest. Food items can be incorporated into novel objects, e.g. hide peanuts in a sock, this helps to maintain interest and requires the monkeys to work for a treat item Monkeys will get bored with a novel object, so vary the use of them and do not give them to the monkeys every day, rather once or twice a week. A very simple way of doing this is to wrap various food items up in paper sacks and then tie them up with rope. By varying the number of layers of paper and how tightly the ropes are tied, the complexity of the food parcel can be altered.