Running wheel choice by Syrian hamsters

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Comparative Psychology
• Rodent Welfare

Background:

• Understanding rodent preferences for exercise equipment is crucial for optimizing welfare in laboratory and pet settings.
• Previous research has not comprehensively evaluated hamster preferences for various running wheel designs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Syrian hamster preferences for different running wheel characteristics, including size, shape, and surface.
• To determine if sex influences running wheel preference in Syrian hamsters.

Main Methods:

• Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were housed in multi-cage setups with different running wheels.
• Wheel running activity was measured daily over 40 days to assess preferences.
• Variables tested included wheel diameter, circularity, surface type (rod spacing, mesh), and surface obstacles.

Main Results:

• Hamsters showed a clear preference for larger diameter wheels (35 cm vs. 23 cm) and fully circular wheels over truncated ones.
• No preference was observed between metal rod spacing (9 mm) and plastic mesh surfaces.
• Obstacles on the running surface did not influence wheel preference.
• Male hamsters exhibited stronger preferences than female hamsters across all tested variables.

Conclusions:

• Running wheel design significantly impacts Syrian hamster preference, with size and circularity being key factors.
• Optimal running wheel design for hamsters includes larger diameters and secure footing, with 9 mm rod spacing being sufficient.
• Enrichment through surface obstacles is not a significant factor in hamster running wheel preference.