Benefits of providing nesting material as a from of environmental enrichment for mice (2010)

Froberg-Fejko, K. M.

Abstract

Husbandry conditions in a laboratory environment can be barren and monotonous. Improving those conditions by providing opportunities for laboratory mice to engage in species-specific behavior can improve their mental and physical well-being. Giving the animals choices and control over their environment is key to reducing stress. Nesting is a normal behavior of mice, and giving mice nesting opportunities allows them to choose how and where to create their nest and provides them a means of thermoregulation in their microenvironment. The benefits of paper substrate nesting material are summarized and a nesting sheet dispenser described.