LABORATORIUM ANIMAL HANDLING AND MODEL/ BEHAVIOUR

Dr. Herawati, MP

RAT (Rattus norvegicus)

Wistar strain: from Wistar Institute,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA Fighting behaviour:

uncommon in male rats (when fight, the looser

killed). Female may be grouped but post prturient females may fight amongst themselves. In laboratory rats with bad handling causing them to squel, may stimulate others in the same room not beeing handled tobecome savage. This can be restored by gentle handling
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MOUSE (Mus musculus)

It is small, high fertility rate, cheapest animal. Its ancestor is the wild or house mouse Many laboratory mice are very jumpy, they bite if they are

not used to being handled More active at night than day time The presence of a person will inhibit their activity They are escape prone, usually do not return to their box Fighting behaviour: adult male fight when housed together, so should be separately caged to prevent damage and even death Female are usually docile and seldom fight, except occasionally if they are disturbed when they have a litter

Ginea pig (Cavia porcellus)

The exact origin? But pre-Inca times (before abt AD 1450) In group: one male and several males n young Gentle animals, rarely scratch or bite Very susceptable to stressful condition, extreme heat or

cold, moving to anew cage. They are nocturnal, so require periods of light for resting Fighting behaviour: strange males placed together especially in crowded conditions or in the presence of estrous female, will fight vigorously Female rarly fight Male and female can be left together.

Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The albino is a popular laboratory breed

Stable relationship although the male may

mate with the females other than his special female Fighting behaviour: Older males housed together will bite at the testes, so they should be separately caged as should sexually maturing rabbits (> 3 mo) will attack each other

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TIPS: Handle with care, TLC (tender loving care) Communicate with them

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Retty Ratnawati 2010