Spinning Dispenser
Type
Food-Based Enrichment
Animals
Great for most larger land animals, including larger reptiles.
Food Extraction
Problem Solving
Behaviors
Object Manipulation
Why We Like It
This enrichment encourages animals to perform a unique behavior--spinning an object! The "spinning dispenser" can be made more challenging by choosing to drill fewer, smaller holes throughout the PVC pipe, so as your animal learns how to use this enrichment, you can replace the PVC pipe with one that is more challenging.
Materials
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PVC pipe (your choice of diameter and length)
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2 PVC end caps to fit PVC pipe
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Metal dowel
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Drill and drill bit (same diameter as metal dowel)
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Hole saw (diameter your choice)
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Two secure points of attachment in animal's enclosure for either end of metal dowel
How to Make It
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Use the hole saw to drill various holes through PVC pipe (holes should be sized just big enough to fit chunks of your animal's food through them)
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Use the drill bit (same diameter as metal dowel) to drill through the center of each PVC end cap
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Place one end cap on the PVC pipe, fill it with food, put the other cap on, and thread the metal dowel through the entire device
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Secure both ends of the metal dowel to points in the enclosure (how you do this will vary depending on what your enclosure looks like)
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Make sure the apparatus spins, and you're ready to go!
WildThink did not create and does not own any of the enrichment items shown on WildThink's enrichment database. Enrichment items are the property of their respective "sources", which can be found below the title of each enrichment item. WildThink is not responsible for any animal injuries or deaths that may occur whilst using enrichment found on WildThink's enrichment database. It is the responsibility of animal caretakers, managers, curators, and attending veterinarians to ensure that each enrichment item and the materials used to make the enrichment item are safe and suitable for an animal prior to use. WildThink is not liable for enrichment malfunctions.