Ch19 - Rats Flashcards
True or False: rat tickling mimics natural play behaviors of juvenile rats and has shown to reduce animal stress hormone production, and can reduce a rat’s fear of humans
True
How frequently should rat cages be changed?
Twice a week
What types of biomedical research is typically conducted on rats, based on their naturally occurring diseases?
Hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes
What are 3 good types of environmental enrichment for rats?
PVC tubes, wood blocks, and social interactions with humans and conspecifics
Which two mating systems are commonly used in rats?
Monogamous, polygamous
Female rats usually have postpartum estrus within _____ hours of parturition.
48 hours
The front teeth of rats grow throughout their lives and are called ______.
Incisiors
What rat stock is known as the “hooded rat”?
Long-Evans
What are 3 signs of pain, illness or distress in a rat?
Hunched posture, poor body condition, ruffled or ungroomed fur
What method of euthanasia would not be acceptable in an adult rat over 200 grams in weight?
Cervical dislocation
What is the approximate body weight for adult rats?
Male: 300 - 500 grams
Female: 250 - 300 grams
What anatomical characteristic distinguished rats from mice?
The lack of a gallbladder
Which rat is albino, has a wide head, long ears, and a tail that is half its body length?
Wistar
True or False: Male rats cannot be pair housed or they will fight
False; male rats can be co-housed
True or False: Molar teeth of rats grow continuously
False; Incisors grow continuously
True or False: Rats are nocturnal and are never active during the day
False; rats have periods of activity during the day and night
True or False: Red staining around the eyes and nose is due to porphyrin, a secretion that can be normal for rats, but at other times may indicate a condition of stress
True
True or False: Toe clipping is the recommended ID method for adult rats
False; not recommended, and only on neonates under anesthesia, with IACUC approval, when no other ID method is feasible
Which of the following are common inbred strains of rats?
[Fischer 334, Wistar, Long-Evans, Sprague Dawley, Lewis, BalbC]
Fischer 344, Lewis
What is the scientific name for rats?
Rattus norvegicus
What problem can occur if you pick up rats by the tip of the tail?
The tail may rip off or slough
List two biological features that rats have in common with mice
Can’t vomit; have no premolars or canines; malocclusion is common; similar gestation and weaning times
The female sexual cycle lasts about ______ days, and their estrus duration (“heat”) is _______ hours
4-5 days; 12 hours
The reddish material found in the tears and saliva of rats is called ______.
porphyrin
Rats are fed free choice food and water, which is sometimes referred to as _____.
Ad-libitum
Because rats are social animals, they should be ______-housed
pair or group
Rats can be weaned at __ - __ days of age
20 - 21 days
How much food and water does an adult rats usually consume in a day (per 100g BW)?
Food: 5 grams
Water: 8-11 mL
True or False: rats are social animals and benefit from group-housing as well as provision of nest-building material for environmental enrichment
True
What problem occurs if rats are kept in wire-bottom cages for long periods of time (a year or more)?
They can develop foot lesions
What is one difference between rats and mice?
Rats don’t have a gallbladder
What are some similarities between rats and mice?
Don’t vomit; no premolars or canine teeth; malocclusion; similar gestation and weaning times
