The animals' Christmas

First of all, I'm still alive. I've enjoyed my first term at Capel Manor very much, but between that and other things, blogging seems to have been pushed off my list of priorities. I'm hoping to change this in future, but I won't promise in case I jinx it.

Anyway, this is the last week before the Christmas holidays, and today I brought in a bag of presents for the small animals I've been working with. Seeing their excitement at getting their toys made this one of the most gratifying gifts I've ever given.

I'd been concerned lately about the degus, who had been chewing the bars of their cage and showing other signs of boredom. I thought adding a bit more enrichment might help, and it looks like I was right.




The photos I took weren't of great quality, partly because the animals were so active, but I think they capture the spirit of the occasion. Here are two of the gerbils playing with a new tunnel (the red glow is a reflection in their tank).



I hope everyone else's season has happy moments like these!