animaleed

holiday feedings!

December 27, 2025Animal Enrichment Devices

We are thrilled to receive positive feedback regarding our enrichment devices, particularly the timed feeder designed by Don/Animal Enrichment Systems for the African crested porcupines at Central Florida Zoo. Kayce, one of the dedicated keepers, shared that this device significantly enhanced the animals’ experience during the limited staff presence on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The feeder allowed the porcupines access to food throughout the day, demonstrating the effectiveness of our enrichment solutions in promoting animal welfare. We are proud to contribute to the well-being of the animals and appreciate the input from our wonderful partners in the field. (below are photos from the delivery day 4-22-25)

BEARY EXCITING NEWSBeary exciting news – We are building an enrichment device (EED) for Zoo Miami’s Black bears, Laurel and Libby. The design will be like what Central Florida Zoo and Brevard Zoo currently have. More to come soon, but for now just look at these beautiful faces!

December 14, 2025Animal Enrichment Devices

DESY (Dolphin Enrichment System) in Action Dec 5, 2025

December 7, 2025December 7, 2025Animal Enrichment Devices

It is always wonderful to get videos or photos of our enrichment in action! This is especially fun since “DESY” (Dolphin Enrichment System) was our very first device! Thank you to Jennifer for sending these adorable photos of little Bowie enjoying DESY this weekend

upgrades to Brevard Zoo Black Bear EED

November 14, 2025Animal Enrichment Devices

Don made some upgrades to the black bear environmental enrichment device. This EED was in use for almost three years in Brevard Zoo’s Florida Loop. We delivered the upgraded parts October 9

BEARY Exciting News

November 14, 2025Animal Enrichment Devices

We will be designing and building environmental enrichment device (EED) for Zoo Miami’s Florida Black Bears
Laurel and Libby! More to come soon (ok. I had some retro 1985 fun with the font colors!)

Enrichment News – Central Florida Zoo!

November 4, 2025Animal Enrichment Devices

Exciting news! We recently visited Central Florida Zoo and spoke with Kayce, Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator, about enrichment for the small primates. We took photos of the habitat and took measurements so Don can design the environmental enrichment device (EED) so the reward treats fit through the cage fencing. Every EED is built from scratch and tailored to the specific habitat. More to come soon!

Exciting News – Porcupine Enrichment Delivered on Earth Day!

May 4, 2025May 13, 2025Animal Enrichment Devices

Exiting News – Porcupine Enrichment Delivered!

May 4, 2025Animal Enrichment Devices

Exciting news! We delivered the environmental enrichment device (EED) for Central Florida Zoo’s African Cape Porcupines on Earth Day. The enrichment will be set up as nighttime feeding for the adorable nocturnal porcupines, Pluto and Pancake. The Zoo Keepers did mention that they may set up a feeding session or two during daytime hours so visitors can see the enrichment in action. Pancake and Pluto were released into their habitat after installation of their new EED. The food was dispensed onto a stump to create sound and they headed over to investigate and forage.

#centralforidazoo

Testing the African Crest Porcupine feeder

April 13, 2025Animal Enrichment Devices

Don tested his enrichment device for African Crested Porcupines The timer worked correctly which made our dogs very happy. There is also a video of Don opening the cover, checking the feeder, and closing everything back up. We want this enrichment device to be very user friendly. #centralfloridazoo

Our latest environmental enrichment device (EED) is for Central Florida Zoo’s African Crested Porcupines (Pluto and Pancake)

April 9, 2025Animal Enrichment Devices

Our latest environmental enrichment device (EED) is for Central Florida Zoo’s African Crested Porcupines (Pluto and Pancake)

A few months ago, we met with Central Florida Zoo’s Carnivore Keepers and discussed some ideas to give Pluto and Pancake enrichment throughout the night. African Crested Porcupines are nocturnal and we wanted to help encourage natural feeding/foraging behavior. The EED will be suspended from a cable over the habitat and will have timer settings to control when and how much food is dispensed. Since the porcupines are strong chewers and can even chew through concrete, their enrichment needs to be out of their reach.

This EED will be mostly used in Pancake and Pluto’s habitat but may also be used for the Zoo’s ambassador porcupine!

Don designed and built every part of this automatic feeder. He used a cereal dispenser (like you see at hotel breakfast buffets) to house the food and a windshield wiper motor to power the device. He built the circuits that control the timing and covered the enrichment housing in a fine mesh to keep unwanted critters out of the machine. Here are some photos of all the parts and components that will become the EED: