The Nesting Instinct

By Brianna Gaskill, Charles River Laboratories

When it comes to nesting, lab mice are really not all that different than people. They crave the comforts of home, and construct nests that are sophisticated and surprisingly multifunctional.

Mice use nests for rearing and maternal activity, of course. But nests also help filter out harsh light—which mice despise—protect against predators and regulate body temperature. Evidence suggests constructing a nest is a deliberate behavioral strategy used by mice to improve fitness and survival, so there’s no reason why normal, healthy, uninjured mice shouldn’t be motivated to perform nesting behaviors quickly and consistently.