Why Do We Add Tunnels to Shipping Crates?

Low-stress handling is increasingly recognized as a standard for modern laboratory mouse housing, handling, breeding, and experimental procedures. Among the various techniques available, tunnel handling has consistently demonstrated significant benefits for animal welfare compared to traditional tail handling methods.

Studies have shown that mice adapt more readily to tunnel handling when tunnels are already present in their cages as enrichment items.

The tunnels offer structural enrichment for your animals while in transit and can be used by your teams for low-stress handling. We now include tunnels as a transport feature in all our crates and boxes.


Benefits of Cardboard Tunnels

  • Enrichment during transportation
  • Facilitate low-stress handling procedures upon arrival at your facility
  • Made from safe, biodegradable cardboard material


Tunnel Specifications

 MaterialDimensions
Mouse Tunnel
(autoclaved)		Biodegradable cardboard76 x 50 x 2mm 
Rat Tunnel
(autoclaved)		Biodegradable cardboard150 x 75 x 3mm


Want to Learn More?

Do you have questions regarding the use of tunnels for enrichment during transport?

Ask Our Team

References

Hurst, J., West, R. Taming anxiety in laboratory mice. Nat Methods 7, 825–826 (2010). 
Gouveia K, Hurst JL (2013) Reducing mouse anxiety during handling: effect of experience with handling tunnels. PLoS ONE 8(6): e66401.
Gouveia, K., Hurst, J.L. Improving the practicality of using non-aversive handling methods to reduce background stress and anxiety in laboratory mice. Sci Rep 9, 20305 (2019).
Hull MA, Reynolds PS, Nunamaker EA (2022) Effects of non-aversive versus tail-lift handling on breeding productivity in a C57BL/6J mouse colony. PLoS ONE 17(1): e0263192.
Mieske, Paul, Hobbiesiefken, Ute, et al. Bored at Home? A Systematic Review on the Effect of Environmental Enrichment on the Welfare of Laboratory Rats and Mice. Front Vet Sci. 2022 Aug 18:9:899219. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.899219. eCollection 2022.
Henderson, L.J., Dani, B., Serrano, E.M.N. et al. Benefits of Tunnel Handling Persist After Repeated Restraint, Injection and Anaesthesia Sci Rep 10, 14562 (2020).