Effect of feed and environmental enrichment on development of stereotypic wire-gnawing in laboratory mice (1998)

Wurbel, H., Chapman, R., Rutland, C.

Abstract

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 as well as for resting. As a consequence the animals showed more resting and less grooming in cages containing a cardboard tube-shelter.