On the ground and in the heights: Does exploratory activity differ in commensal and non-commensal spiny mice?

How to explore a new environment: exploratory tactics of the black rat (Rattus rattus)

“…Even though some behavioral differences found in the OFT correspond well to those found under more natural conditions (e.g., Krebs et al 2019 ), combining laboratory and field (or wild-like) research might yield important insights into animal behavior ( Horn et al 2022 ). Several previous studies have, for example, found that even not commonly reported vertical behaviors, such as jumping, may be important when studying exploration of wild-derived rodents ( Rattus rattus , Žampachová et al, 2017a ; Mus musculus , Frynta et al 2018 ; Mastomys natalensis , Vanden Broecke et al 2019 ; Acomys sp ., Štolhoferová et al, 2020 ).…”

“…For this reason, we constructed a large adjustable arena, designed specifically for testing species with vertical activity. Our arena was constructed on the basis of the OFT, but we introduced 2 important modifications: 1) we added wire mesh so the animals could climb and use the third dimension of the arena as well ( Štolhoferová et al 2020 ); 2) the arena consists of 3 open field cubes, which can be separated or interconnected, allowing for testing in a more complex and considerably larger environment. This unique setting allowed us to test wild-derived black rats in an apparatus similar to the classic OFT ( Ohl 2003 ) but adjusted for their ecology.…”