Rodent

Housing of mice in an enriched environment

Mice reared in enriched cages are less emotional, react more spontaneous and are more interested in investigating their environment than mice reared under conventioanl conditions.

Year Published: 1994Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Scharmann, W. 1994. Housing of mice in an enriched environment. In: Proceedings of the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations [FELASA] Symposium. Bunyan, J. (ed), 335-337. Royal Society of Medicine Press, London, UK.

Effects of enriched housing environment on the behaviour of young male and female mice in four exploratory tasks

The provision of plastic boxes and wooden scaffoldings in cages reduced anxiety in mice, increased their open-field activity and improved sensorimotor skills.

Year Published: 1994Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Prior, H., Sachser, N. 1994/95. Effects of enriched housing environment on the behaviour of young male and female mice in four exploratory tasks. Journal of Experimental Animal Science 37, 57-68.

Responses of rats (Rattus norvegicus) to enrichment objects

The [conventional] rat box is a two dimensional environment in which the rats can only move within the horizontal plane ... This captive environment, chosen because of ease of husbandry, hygiene and economy leads to boredom and monotony with ensuing...

Year Published: 1994Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Orok-Edem, E., Key, D. 1994. Responses of rats (Rattus norvegicus) to enrichment objects. Animal Technology 45, 25-30.

Enrichment techniques for rodents and rabbits

Environmental enrichment options are discussed and recommendations made on species-adequate husbandry practices. Enrichment relates to the husbandry of animals and refers to ways in which we can meet their behavioral needs, i.e., to look after their psychological well-being and to...

Year Published: 1994Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit, Rodent

Citation: Morton, D. B. 1994. Enrichment techniques for rodents and rabbits. In: Rodents and Rabbits: Current Research Issues. Niemi, S. M., Venable, J. S., Guttman, H. N. (eds), 20-27. Scientist Center of Animal Welfare, Bethesda, MD.

A home for a mouse

Caging design recommendations which take basic, species-characteristic behavioral needs of mice into account. A great deal more time and money has been spent on arguing about methods than on observation and research. Such caging 'standards' that exist for mice owe...

Year Published: 1994Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Lawlor, M. M. 1994. A home for a mouse. Humane Innovations and Alternatives in Animal Experimentation 8, 569-573.

Influence of environmental enrichment and sex on predator stress response in rats

The findings of the present study suggest that an enriched environment decreases predator-induced defensive/anxiety behaviors in rats. Also, in agreement with prior research females were more defensive than males.

Year Published: 1994Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Klein, S. L., Lambert, K. G., Durr, D. et al. 1994. Influence of environmental enrichment and sex on predator stress response in rats. Physiology and Behavior 56, 291-297.

Behavioural differentiation of mice housed on different cage floors

The animals cleary avoided wire mesh for resting. However, they tended to spend more time in this compartment for eating.

Year Published: 1994Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Schlingmann, F., Van de Weerd, H. A., Blom, H. J. M. et al. 1994. Behavioural differentiation of mice housed on different cage floors. In: Proceedings of the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations [FELASA] Symposium. Bunyan, J. (ed), 355-357. Royal Society of Medicine Press, London, UK.

Handbook of Laboratory Animal Management and Welfare – Chapter on Small Species: Gerbils and Hamsters

GERBILS are generally docile creatures, which are easily handled and rarely bite. They are generally very active, and when approached, they will resist being caught. Normally they exhibit exploratory behaviour in new surroundings, and if loose they do not hide...

Year Published: 1994Animal Type: Gerbil, Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Wolfensohn, S. , Lloyd, M. 1994. Handbook of Laboratory Animal Management and Welfare - Chapter on Small Species: Gerbils and Hamsters. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.

Meeting the needs of captive mice and their caretakers

Description of a cage designed to meet species-typical environmental needs of mice. The cage provides opportunity for choices including both warm and cool temperatures, and a comfortable sleeping and nesting area with low light intensity and opportunity for social huddling....

Year Published: 1994Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Wallace, M. E. 1994. Meeting the needs of captive mice and their caretakers. Humane Innovations and Alternatives in Animal Experimentation 8, 565-568.

The effects of dietary fatty acid composition combined with environmental enrichment on brain and behavior in mice

Enriched animals in all groups showed less rearing activity in the openfield and spent more time stationary.

Year Published: 1994Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Wainwright, P. E., Huang, Y. S., Bulman-Fleming, B. et al. 1994. The effects of dietary fatty acid composition combined with environmental enrichment on brain and behavior in mice. Behavioural Brain Research 60, 125-136.