Mouse

Nesting material as environmental enrichment has no adverse effects on behavior and physiology of laboratory mice

Inanimate enrichment did not affect physiological data but prompted an increase in the animals' body weights.

Year Published: 1997Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Van de Weerd, H. A., van Loo, P. L. P., van Zutphen, L. F. M. et al. 1997. Nesting material as environmental enrichment has no adverse effects on behavior and physiology of laboratory mice. Physiology and Behavior 62, 1019-1028.

Behavioural demand functions of caged laboratory mice for additional space

Mice demonstrate a strong motivation to gain access to space additional to that provided by a standard laboratory cage, even when this provides no further resources or enrichment. The importance of a commodity, as perceived by animals, can be determined...

Year Published: 1997Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sherwin, C. M., Nicol, C. J. 1997. Behavioural demand functions of caged laboratory mice for additional space. Animal Behaviour 53, 67-74.

The effects of environmental enrichment on cage-cleaning aggression in male laboratory mice

Inanimate enrichment may decrease the incidence of aggressive interactions between males after cage cleaning.

Year Published: 1997Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Ambrose, N., Morton, D. B. 1997. The effects of environmental enrichment on cage-cleaning aggression in male laboratory mice. B & K Science Now 6, 13.

Choice tests with groups of mice: nest box, nesting material and tubes as enrichment items for laboratory mice

Mice show a preference for a more complex housing environment offering shelter. In accordance with results from preference tests with individually housed mice, present results support the view that nesting material, shelter, social contact and adequate space are important environmental...

Year Published: 1998Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Heinzmann, V., Jonas, I., Hirschenauer, K. et al. 1998. Choice tests with groups of mice: nest box, nesting material and tubes as enrichment items for laboratory mice. Journal of Experimental Animal Science 39, 43-60.

Floor space needs for laboratory mice: C57BL/6 males in solid-bottom cages with bedding

Different floor space allocations of cages that were barren except bedding were tested in groups of 3 male mice. Space reduction - from 129 to 32 square cm per mouse - had no impact on body weight gain; but with...

Year Published: 1998Topics: Housing, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Fullwood, S., Hicks, T. A., Brown, J. C. et al. 1998. Floor space needs for laboratory mice: C57BL/6 males in solid-bottom cages with bedding. ILAR Journal 39(1), 29-36.

Refining rodent husbandry: The mouse – Report of the Rodent Refinement Working Party

This report describes ways in which existing husbandry and care of mice can be improved with emphasis on providing environments that allow the animals to express a wide range of behaviours. Valuable recommendations are made on the following topics: Caging...

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Jennings, M., Batchelor, G. R., Brain, P. F. et al. 1998. Refining rodent husbandry: The mouse - Report of the Rodent Refinement Working Party . Laboratory Animals 32, 233-259.

Prevention of stereotypic wire-gnawing in laboratory mice: Effects on behaviour and implications for stereotypy as a coping response

Three groups of six pairs of adult male laboratory mice of the ICR-strain kept in standard laboratory cages were selectively prevented from stereotypic wire-gnawing for 1, 5 or 10 days, respectively. Behaviour was observed throughout the 12 h dark period...

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Wurbel, H., Freire, R., Nicol, C. J. 1998. Prevention of stereotypic wire-gnawing in laboratory mice: Effects on behaviour and implications for stereotypy as a coping response. Behavioural Processes 42, 61-72.

Effect of feed and environmental enrichment on development of stereotypic wire-gnawing in laboratory mice

Enrichment significantly reduced stereotypic wire-gnawing in pair-housed male mice by 40%, presumably as a consequence of the cover provided by the cardboard tubes. This is substantiated by observations that the tubes were used as a place to retreat upon disturbance...

Year Published: 1998Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Wurbel, H., Chapman, R., Rutland, C. 1998. Effect of feed and environmental enrichment on development of stereotypic wire-gnawing in laboratory mice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 60, 69-81.

Preference of subordinate male mice for their dominant cage mates

Experiments that allowed subordinate male mice to choose either a cage inhabited with a dominant partner or an empty cage have shown that the mice preferred the proximity of the dominant male to individual housing.

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Van Loo, P. L. P., Baumans, V. 1998. Preference of subordinate male mice for their dominant cage mates. Aktuelle Arbeiten zur artgemaessen Tierhaltung, KTBL-Schrift 380, 45-52.

Strength of preference for nesting material as environmental enrichment for laboratory mice

On average, the 47 mice tested spent significantly more time in the cage with the nesting material [paper towel or tissue] (more than 69% of their total time, whereas less than 25% of their time in the cage with the...

Year Published: 1998Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Van de Weerd, H. A., van Loo, P. L. P., van Zutphen, L. F. M. et al. 1998. Strength of preference for nesting material as environmental enrichment for laboratory mice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 55, 369-382.