Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

True or False: The behavioral condition when a dominant mouse chews the fur off a subordinate mouse is called trimming.

1. True

2. False

3. It's called grooming

4. It's called fur biting

The correct answer is: False

The statement is false because the specific behavioral condition described, where a dominant mouse chews the fur off a subordinate mouse, is commonly known as fur biting rather than trimming. Fur biting occurs in social hierarchies among rodents, where the dominant mouse may engage in this behavior as a form of aggression or to assert dominance. Trimming, while a term used in animal behavior, does not specifically refer to this aggressive action between mice. Grooming typically involves a more caring and hygienic interaction between animals, often serving to strengthen social bonds, which contrasts with the dominance display that fur biting represents. Understanding these terms is crucial for recognizing social dynamics and behaviors in rodent populations.