title: Shelter enrichment for rats.
abstract: Nest boxes are a simple and effective form of environmental enrichment. Rats accept a wide range of nest-box types but have the strongest relative T-maze preference for enclosed, opaque, thermoplastic boxes. All laboratories should provide their rats some type of nest box, depending on the most convenient and effective method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences, Animal Biology Division, Sir Stephen Watson Building, Bush Estate, Penicuik EH26 0PH, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Emily G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Patterson-Kane
mesh_terms: D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D007756:Laboratory Animal Science / Q000379:methods; D009425:Nesting Behavior; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar / Q000523:psychology*