Invention:
This technology is a unique animal welfare product that mimics burrow-like structures, increases engagement, and reduces aggression. The innovation was designed at a University of Arizona laboratory for group-housed mice.
Background:
Current caging technologies remain expensive and inadequate to provide vertebrate lab animals with separation from others. Aggression leads to problems including loss of animals, equipment damage, and testing delays. Additionally, failure to engage mice can skew laboratory data.
Research done by the inventors shows that cage dividers that resemble burrows and provide access to food and water have been proven to reduce aggression. Furthermore, using a chewable product allows mice to create their own environment, keeping them engaged.
Applications:
- Vertebrate lab research
- Vertebrate cage division
Advantages:
- Mimics burrow-like structures
- Reduces aggression
- Engages animals
- Reduces costs
Publication: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0023677217753464.
