Mouse hints
Mice: platform mesh, water depth and temperature
Give them something to grip, and get the temperature right to the degree.
Platform & Water
1. Cover the platform with a fibrous mesh into which the mice can dig their paws and feel secure when they get there. We found a synthetic underlay (to stop carpets slipping) ; it is whitish and blends with the water (milk). Others have used pot-scouring pads.
2. Make the water just cover the platform by ~5mm. Rats are big enough to feel they are out of the water. Mice are smaller; 1-2 cms is too much.
3. Water-temperature has to be accurate to 1 deg; we use 24 deg C. A couple of degrees colder and they just climb out
Original text: Dr Roger J Morris, 1998, with editor's notes by Richard Baker. Copyright (C) 1998 RJ Morris & HVS Image. Reproduced unchanged. Copyright Richard Baker© 2013. All Rights Reserved.
For the equipment, see HVS Image's page about the regular escape platform.
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