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Home / Animal Groups / Other Animals

Animal Group: Other Animals

Each animal needed for research provides a model for a unique aspect of a study.  For example, fruit flies share 75% of the genes that cause disease in humans and contribute to studies of human genetics. The anatomy and physiology of rabbits are similar to that of humans.  Rabbits have contributed to the understanding and treatment of many diseases in both people and animals. They are also important for evaluating the safety and efficacy of new medications.

Did you Know?

Rabbits are used to produce antibodies, used for research into infectious diseases and immunology.

The diet of an adult rabbit consists of fresh hay, water, and fresh vegetables.

About 75% of human disease-causing genes are found in the fruit fly in a similar form.

The rabbit was the first animal model of cancer caused by a virus.

Rabbits are used as models for cystic fibrosis and cholera.

Fruit flies have been and integral part in studying genetics for over 100 years.

Surgical lasers were developed using rabbits.

Fruit flies have a short, simple reproduction cycle. It is normally about 8-14 days, depending on the environmental temperature. This means that several generations can be observed in a matter of months.

Rabbits are important in the study of cardiovascular disease, particularly hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Explore Other Animals by Species

Pigeon Thumbnail

Pigeon

Pigeons, once prominent in comparative psychology, now serve in neuroscience research, particularly in memory, navigation, and cancer detection studies, offering potential for more efficient cancer screenings and insights into brain mechanisms. Read More →

Rabbit Thumbnail

Rabbit

Rabbits, instrumental in developing the rabies vaccine, paved the way for pets in households. Their anatomical and physiological resemblance to humans aids research in cancer, glaucoma, infections, diabetes, and emphysema. Read More →

Ferret Thumbnail

Ferret

Ferrets, sharing anatomical and physiological traits with humans, are pivotal in research for various diseases like peptic ulcers, cystic fibrosis, and influenza, making them invaluable models in biomedical studies. Read More →

Fruit Fly Thumbnail

Fruit Fly

Fruit flies have helped to develop drugs designed to treat a range of diseases from skin infections and genetic disorders to pneumonia, and meningitis. Some of the recent research with fruit flies has focused on understanding Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, spastic paraplegia, cancer, obesity and insomnia. Read More →

Animals in Research

Positive reinforcement for bunny checks

These rabbits are involved in research aimed at preventing fluid build-up in the chest, which happens in humans and animals battling certain…

Animals in Research

Rabbits sharing a food bowl

Rabbits are social animals and live well in groups, especially if they are raised together as youngsters. The facility that houses these…

Animals in Research

Rabbits enjoying human interaction

These rabbits enjoy human interaction. When technicians come into the room, the rabbits move to the front of the pen to receive…

Animals in Research

Socially housed rabbits

These rabbits are housed in social groups (four members per run). Research facilities strive to house animals in areas which allow them…

Animals in Research

Pigeons and Perches

Male and female Rock Doves (pigeons) in this research facility raise their babies together in a large, open, indoor aviary. The aviary…

Animals in Research

Socially Housed Rabbits in Tunnels

Rabbits in this research facility are socially housed in runs with paper bedding, tunnels, dividers, toys, and treats, providing them with opportunities…

Animals in Research

Research Ferrets Co-nursing a Litter

Jills – female ferrets – are incredibly friendly and social and often sleep cuddled together. Research ferrets are housed so that they…

Animals in Research

Ferret for Research Naps with Her Kits in the Nest

Ferrets spend 75% of their day sleeping, but are very active when awake. They like to explore, forage, play, hide, rest, and…

Animals in Research

Seraphina: Helping to Understand Navigation and Memory

This is Seraphina, a Rock Dove or pigeon.  She contributes to studies focused on understanding “homing” and how the brain supports navigation…

Animals in Research

Research Rabbit Eating Parsley

Fresh vegetables and herbs, like parsley, are given to research rabbits both to enrich their environment and to provide nutrition.  This rabbit…

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