Abstract
Burrows dug by house mice in laboratory burrow boxes were examined in two inbred strains (C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ) across five age groups and compared with burrows of wild trapped mice. Burrows of feral domestic mice were examined in an outdoor enclosure as well as in the laboratory. Results demonstrated that burrows differ between strains; highly active C57 mice tended to burrow more than did Balbs at all age ranges. Moreover, burrows became more complex with age in both strains. Differences among domestic, feral, and wild mice were minimal. Results are discussed in terms of possible genetic differences in activity and as evidence against the notions of degeneracy accompanying domestication.
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Adams, N., Boice, R. Mouse (Mus) burrows: Effects of age, strain, and domestication. Animal Learning & Behavior 9, 140–144 (1981). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03212036
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03212036