A Guide to the Behavior & Enrichment of Laboratory Rodents

From Charles River:

November 8, 2012 – A well-designed behavioral husbandry program should accommodate the innate physiological and behavioral needs of the laboratory animals involved. A Guide to the Behavior & Enrichment of Laboratory Rodents, authored by behavior and enrichment experts with extensive experience in the field, examines those needs and details how to build a successful enrichment program around them. A successful enrichment program is beneficial to both researchers and laboratory animals as it enhances the well-being of the animals, which can lead to more accurate test results and, in turn, to better science.

Covering species-typical behavior as well as abnormal/ malfunctional behavior and stereotypies observed in mice, rats, hamsters, and gerbils, A Guide to the Behavior & Enrichment of Laboratory Rodents is an excellent resource for those looking to implement or enhance an existing behavioral husbandry and enrichment program. Detailed ethograms (behavior charts) are included for most species covered, as well as charts and photographic examples, to help researchers in their observation and quantification of their animals’ behaviors. Extensive references are also provided to aid in further research and augment the material covered in the book.

Additionally, because observation is critical to behavior assessment, a key feature has been added to this book. In various sections of the guide, there are web addresses linking to video footage of various rodent behaviors that are commonly observed.

While written as an introductory guide, Charles River is confident that all laboratory professionals, from veterinarians to laboratory animal technicians, will find this guidebook helpful and informative.

To request a copy, please contact us at askcharlesriver@crl.com. Please note that a maximum of three copies per person are allowed.

Related Information

Share This Post