Other Rodent

An ethological approach to housing requirements of golden hamsters, Mongolian gerbils and fat sand rats in the laboratory ? A review

When housing hamsters and gerbils little has been done to identify the preferences of these species. The solitary nature of fat sand rats and hamsters is often discordant with housing practices in animal laboratories. This article provides a comparison of...

Year Published: 2005Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Gerbil, Hamster, Other Rodent, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Sorensen, D. B., Krohn, T., Hansen, H. N. et al. 2005. An ethological approach to housing requirements of golden hamsters, Mongolian gerbils and fat sand rats in the laboratory ? A review . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 93, 181-195.

Preparation of animals for research — Issues to consider for rodents and rabbits

This article provides details to consider when preparing to use animals in biomedical research. The stress of transport and receipt of animals into a new environment mandate the need for a period of stabilization and acclimation. This allotment of time...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Regulations & Ethical Review, Relocation & Transport, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Conour, L. A., Murray, K. A., Brown, M. J. 2006. Preparation of animals for research -- Issues to consider for rodents and rabbits. ILAR Journal 47(4), 283-293.

Spontaneous stereotypy and environmental enrichment in deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus): Reversibility of experience

Spontaneous and persistent stereotypies exhibited by deer mice appear to be prevented by post-weaning rearing in a larger, more complex environment. We sought to determine: (1) if exposure to an enriched environment later in development would still be efficacious in...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Hadley, C., Hadley, B., Ephraima, S. et al. 2006. Spontaneous stereotypy and environmental enrichment in deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus): Reversibility of experience. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 97, 312-322.

Cynomys housing and enrichment units

Housing arrangement for prairie dogs is described.

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Langham, G., Kelly, K., Walls, C. et al. 2008. Cynomys housing and enrichment units. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 91 (Abstract).

Making a Home for Prairie Dogs through Environmental Enrichment

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Presa, M. F. 2008. Making a Home for Prairie Dogs through Environmental Enrichment. The Shape of Enrichment 17(3), no page numbers.

Novel food items as environmental enrichment for rodents and rabbits

This column discusses the use of novel dietary supplements as environmental enrichment for rodents and rabbits. Items are commercially available from lab animal supply companies. The purpose of enrichment is to encourage behaviors that are appropriate for a particular species...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Brown, C. 2009. Novel food items as environmental enrichment for rodents and rabbits. Lab Animal 38(4), 119-120.

Social buffering of the stress response: Diversity, mechanisms, and functions

Protracted or repeated activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) system is associated with a variety of physical and psychological pathologies. Studies dating back to the 1970s have documented many cases in which the presence of a social companion can moderate HPA...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Bird, Dog, Finch, Guinea Pig, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Rat, Rodent, Sheep, Squirrel Monkey

Citation: Hennessy MB, Kaiser S, Sachser N. 2009. Social buffering of the stress response: Diversity, mechanisms, and functions. Frontiers in Neuroendocrin. 30;470-82.

Current practices in a captive breeding colony of 13-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus)

The authors provide an update to their 2006 report on the successful large-scale captive breeding of the 13-lined ground squirrel (TLGS; Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) in their colony, now a single-source supplier of purpose-bred TLGSs for several research institutions. With funding from...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, ReproductionAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Merriman, D. K., Lahvis, G., Jooss, M. et al. 2012. Current practices in a captive breeding colony of 13-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus). Lab Animal 41(11), 315-325.

Going back to nature: The benefits of wood enrichment

Environmental enrichment can be defined as altering the living environment of captive animals in order to provide them with opportunities to express more of their natural behavioral repertoire. The challenge of providing effective enrichment in laboratory species is to ensure...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Froberg-Fejko, K. M., Lecker, J. L. 2012. Going back to nature: The benefits of wood enrichment. Lab Animal 41(11), 345-347.

The effects of environmental enrichment on depressive and anxiety-relevant behaviors in socially isolated prairie voles

Social isolation is associated with depression, anxiety and negative health outcomes. Environmental enrichment, including environmental and cognitive stimulation with inanimate objects and opportunities for physical exercise, may be an effective strategy to include in treatment paradigms for affective disorders as...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Grippo, A. J., Ihm, E., Wardwell, J. et al. 2014. The effects of environmental enrichment on depressive and anxiety-relevant behaviors in socially isolated prairie voles. Psychosomatic Medicine 76(4), 277-284.