Handling

Managed care of naked mole-rats

Naked mole-rats are a burgeoning model species in the field of biomedical research and are also housed at many zoos throughout the world. These mammals possess many traits that have a large impact on the way that they are kept...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Identification Method, Rearing & Weaning, Relocation & Transport, Reproduction, Restraint, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Smith, M., Buffenstein, R. 2021. Managed care of naked mole-rats. In: R. Buffenstein, T. J. Park, M. M. Holmes (Eds.), The Extraordinary Biology of the Naked Mole-Rat. Springer International Publishing, pp. 381–407.

Non-aversive handling in laboratory animals and its effects on depressive-like and anxiety-related behaviors: A scoping review

Stress is an adaptive response to environmental demands, but increased intensity and frequency can lead to impaired adaptive functions. Stress is considered a risk factor for Major Depressive Disorder, a multifactorial disorder that often coexists with anxiety. Picking up laboratory...

Year Published: 2025Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Castro de Jesus, L., S․ Rodrigues, A. L. 2025. Non-aversive handling in laboratory animals and its effects on depressive-like and anxiety-related behaviors: A scoping review. Physiology & Behavior 294, 114883.

Alternative handling techniques to reduce anxiety in laboratory mice

The most common and widely used method to capture and transfer mice from cage to cage is to pick up and restrain the mouse by its tail. Recent studies at Liverpool University, however, have indicated that handling mice by their...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Thorpe, E. 2020. Alternative handling techniques to reduce anxiety in laboratory mice. Animal Technology and Welfare 19(1), 76–78.

From Fish to Mice to Monkeys in Research: Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Well-being

This chapter focuses mainly on animals in medical research. Many, especially the smaller species such as rat, mice, and zebrafish, may be seen only a few minutes a day by their human caregivers. Most laboratory animals are kept in confinement...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Regulations & Ethical Review, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: All/General, Fish, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Rat, Rodent, Zebrafish

Citation: Serageldine, C. E., Robinson-Junker, A., Alvino, G. et al. 2025. From Fish to Mice to Monkeys in Research: Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Well-being. In Mental Health and Well-being in Animals (pp. 308–322).

Managed care of naked mole-rats

Year Published: 2021Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Identification Method, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Relocation & Transport, Reproduction, RestraintAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Smith, M., Buffenstein, R. 2021. Managed care of naked mole-rats. In: R. Buffenstein, T. J. Park, & M. M. Holmes (Eds.), The Extraordinary Biology of the Naked Mole-Rat (pp. 381–407). Springer International Publishing.

Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals

This 30-chapter volume informs students and professionals about the behavioral biology of animals commonly housed in laboratory and other captive settings. Each species evolved under specific environmental conditions, resulting in unique behavioral patterns, many of which are maintained in captivity...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Baboon, Capuchin, Cat, Cattle, Chicken, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Ferret, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Salamander, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Coleman, K., Schapiro, S. J. (Eds.) 2022. Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals (1st Ed.). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 560 p.

Establishing a predictable cue for catches to reduce reactivity to management events for captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Psychological duress can emerge from the perceived lack of predictability such that, in captive circumstances, reliable signals for aversive events can afford animals with the opportunity to behaviorally and physiologically prepare. Does a reliable and unique signal cue for an...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Handling, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Pritchard, A. J., Blersch, R. A., Nathman, A. C. et al. 2025. Establishing a predictable cue for catches to reduce reactivity to management events for captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 285, 106578.

Comparison of behavioural indicators of acute pain and stress during and after three methods of handling and restraint for pre-weaned beef calves

Pre-weaned beef calves in western Canada are processed at approximately 6–12 weeks of age, when they are individually handled and restrained to conduct various husbandry procedures. Best practice recommendations for safeguarding animal welfare during husbandry procedures suggest using calm, quiet...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Handling, RestraintAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Arkangel, L., Windeyer, M. C., Goldhawk, C. et al. 2025. Comparison of behavioural indicators of acute pain and stress during and after three methods of handling and restraint for pre-weaned beef calves. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 286, 106623.

Does the regular husbandry handling method affect response to a novel handler (2024)

Aims: Aim 1: Investigate the effects of tube vs tail handing on ease of handling of mice by future experimenters. Aim 2: Investigate the effects of tube vs tail handling on anxiety in mice. Aim 3: Investigate where there are...

Year Published: 2024Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: McLaughlin, T., Langston, R., Dennison, N. 2024. Does the regular husbandry handling method affect response to a novel handler. Animal Technology and Welfare 23(3), 215–216.

Captive husbandry of the Bynoe’s gecko (Heteronotia binoei) (2025)

Covers topics such as health, housing, handling, diet and feeding

Year Published: 2025Topics: Handling, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Martinic, G., Burns, K. 2025. Captive husbandry of the Bynoe's gecko (Heteronotia binoei). Animal Technology and Welfare 24(1), 39–43.