Habituation training

This page contains images and films demonstrating environmental enrichment of rat cages and habituation of these animals to handling and procedures such as blood sampling and injections.

The large home cages contain a large assortment of items to provide enrichment, including tunnels, houses, shelters, multiple levels, hammocks and cages containing nesting material.

The facility uses a hammock suspended from the chest of the animal technician to facilitate contact with the animal, before they are placed in a holding cage containing treats (condensed milk and chocolate biscuits).

In the holding cage, the rats can be tickled, to utilise the enjoyment which they are known to experience from this procedure. The handling may appear somewhat rough, but it is compatible with the "rough and tumble" way in which rats normally play with each other.