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Approach the rat with a relaxed closed hand and grasp it from behind its shoulders with your thumb and index fingers just behind its forelegs. Make sure the rest of its body is lying in the palm of your hand. Although bites are rare, they may occur when a finger is thrust in front of the rat, or when a sudden or startling movement occurs. Gloves are available for handing the animal. If you have any fear of the animal, do not handle it - ask your lab partner or call the instructor. Those who do fear the animal should ensure that they have a lab partner who is prepared to handle the animal. Your rat must be weighed at the beginning of each experimental session. The weight should be recorded and calculated as a percentage of his free-feeding weight. Ideally, animals should be maintained at 85% of their free-feeding weight. |