Species-specific housing and routine procedures for spiny mice (Acomys) maintained in large individually ventilated...

Spiny mice (Acomys spp.) are increasingly used in biomedical research owing to their unique physiological properties and ability to regenerate tissues, yet standardized laboratory housing conditions are largely based on mouse or rat models and may not adequately meet their species-specific needs. Here, we describe a practical protocol for the housing of spiny mice in large individually ventilated cages, including cage setup, diet, environmental enrichment, breeding, and health monitoring. We also provide recommendations for standard procedures used in animal research, such as identification methods, anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia. Last, we expand on the best laboratory practices in the context of common surgical procedures used in the field of regenerative biology, such as dorsal skin wounds and ear punch injury. Our recommendations are based on a decade of experience with routine colony management and behavioral observations at different European research sites and are intended as a practical reference for laboratories starting up Acomys colonies and as guidelines for regulatory authorities and ethics committees involved in approval processes for Acomys facilities and research.