Methods of Pairing and Pair Maintenance of New Zealand White Rabbits (<em>Oryctolagus Cuniculus)</em> Via Behavioral Ethogram, Monitoring, and Interventions

Sarah Thurston; Lisa Burlingame; Patrick A. Lester; Jennifer Lofgren

doi:10.3791/57267

Methods of Pairing and Pair Maintenance of New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus)

JoVE Journal
Behavior

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JoVE Journal Behavior

Methods of Pairing and Pair Maintenance of New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) Via Behavioral Ethogram, Monitoring, and Interventions

Methods of Pairing and Pair Maintenance of New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) Via Behavioral Ethogram, Monitoring, and Interventions

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10:00 min

March 16, 2018

DOI: 10.3791/57267-v

Sarah Thurston^1,2, Lisa Burlingame^1,2, Patrick A. Lester^1,2, Jennifer Lofgren^1,2

¹Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine,University of Michigan, ²Refinement and Enrichment Advancements Laboratory,University of Michigan

Overview

This article presents effective methods for establishing and maintaining social pairs of New Zealand white rabbits in laboratory settings. It emphasizes the importance of understanding rabbit behaviors and social structures to facilitate successful pair housing.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Animal Behavior
Laboratory Animal Science
Veterinary Science

Background

European rabbits are social animals, but housing them together can be complex.
Understanding their social behaviors is crucial for successful pair housing.
Pairing methods and hierarchy establishment are key areas of focus.
Intervention during aggressive displays can disrupt the establishment of dominance hierarchies.

Purpose of Study

To present methods for pairing laboratory rabbits effectively.
To define behaviors characteristic of paired rabbits.
To provide strategies for maintaining successful rabbit pairs.

Methods Used

Behavioral ethogram development for rabbit interactions.
Observation of pairing methods in a controlled environment.
Analysis of social hierarchy establishment behaviors.
Strategies for intervention during aggressive displays.

Main Results

Successful pairing methods were identified for both male and female rabbits.
Understanding of agonistic behaviors necessary for hierarchy establishment was enhanced.
Intervention strategies were outlined to avoid disrupting social dynamics.
Clear definitions of behaviors indicative of successful pair bonding were provided.

Conclusions

Effective pairing and maintenance strategies can improve laboratory rabbit housing.
Recognizing and allowing certain aggressive behaviors is essential for social structure.
Further research is needed to refine these methods and understand rabbit social dynamics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main challenges in housing rabbits socially?

Socially housing rabbits can be challenging due to their aggressive behaviors during hierarchy establishment.

Why is it important to observe rabbit behaviors?

Observing behaviors helps in understanding their social structures and improving pairing methods.

What is a behavioral ethogram?

A behavioral ethogram is a comprehensive catalog of behaviors exhibited by a species, used for analysis in social interactions.

How can aggressive displays be beneficial?

Aggressive displays are often necessary for establishing dominance hierarchies among paired rabbits.

What strategies can prevent disruption during pairing?

Allowing some level of aggression and avoiding premature separation can help maintain social dynamics.

What species of rabbits are discussed in this study?

The study focuses on New Zealand white rabbits.

Though European rabbits are a social species, socially housing them can be challenging. Therefore, there must be a thorough understanding of behaviors and social structures of pair-housed laboratory rabbits. Here we present a protocol to identify pairing methods, species-typical hierarchy establishment behaviors and behaviors that warrant appropriate intervention.

The overall goal of this process is to present effective methods for establishing newly paired New Zealand white rabbits, as well as a behavioral ethogram and strategies for successful paired maintenance. This method can help answer key questions in the rabbit social housing field by clearly defining behaviors characteristic to paired laboratory rabbits and defining what those behaviors indicate. The main advantages of this technique include methods for successfully pairing female laboratory animal rabbits in a cage setting and also strategies for successful maintenance of both male and female rabbit pairs.

Generally, individuals new to this method will struggle, because we are instinctively inclined to immediately separate any animals engaging in aggressive behavior. However, some agnositic displays are necessary for rabbits to successfully establish their dominance hierarchy. If we intervene too quickly, we disrupt this process, which can delay or prevent the creation of a successful pair.

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