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Essential Information | How Should Laboratory Animals Be Transported?

Introduction

Some colleagues encounter situations involving the transport of laboratory mice, yet they are not fully familiar with the relevant precautions for transporting experimental animals. In our daily work, we have also fielded numerous inquiries from students seeking guidance.

Today, we’ve specially invited Xue Bingbing from the Transportation Department of Aniphe BioLab to provide a detailed Q&A on the transportation of laboratory mice.

 

 

Q1: When transporting laboratory mice, what should they be placed in?

A1: It comes in a specialized packaging carton for laboratory animals, lined with a fine wire mesh. It looks like this↓

Figure 1: Wire mesh inside the cardboard box

Figure 2: Carton Appearance

Alternatively, you can use an aviation‑grade transport box designed for laboratory animals—made of plastic with a tighter seal—which is typically used for air shipments. It looks like this↓

Figure 3: Appearance of the flight case

 

 

Q2: Can I use a regular paper box? Should I poke some holes in the box?

A2: We recommend against using this type of packaging.

Mice are rodents and have a strong tendency to gnaw on objects. If the cardboard box is not lined with wire mesh, or if the mesh is incomplete—particularly lacking at the bottom—there is a significant risk that the mice will chew through the box and escape during transit.

Figure 4: A cardboard box gnawed by a mouse (with no wire mesh at the bottom)

Moreover, puncturing holes in the cardboard box fails to filter external air, which could easily cause disease in model mice with compromised immune systems.

 

 

Q3: What should I do if I don’t have this type of box for packaging laboratory mice?

A3: There are two options: one is to keep the original packaging box provided by the manufacturer, and the other is to ask the shipping carrier or the laboratory animal supplier whether they can provide a packaging box.

Some packaging boxes are charged for, while others are free; the cost of paper boxes is generally quite low, ranging from 20 to 80 yuan.

If you opt for air freight or need to use an airline‑approved crate, the cost will be considerably higher. Prices for a single crate range from 80 to 300 yuan, depending on the material and size. Be sure to choose carefully.

 

 

Q4: Could the delivery driver bring a packaging box when they come to pick up the item? I’ll pack it on-site.

A4: Some shipping companies can handle it, while others cannot; be sure to confirm this before placing your order.

Additionally, if your mice were raised in an SPF environment, the cages should be pre‑sterilized by autoclaving. Typically, the courier arrives with minimal wait time; we recommend packing everything in advance so you can simply hand over the items to the courier upon their arrival.

 

 

Q5: Should we add bedding and feed? If so, how much should we use?

A5: Absolutely—yes, you should. Regardless of the length of the journey, bedding is essential; for longer trips, we recommend using a thicker layer. The amount of food depends on both the duration of transport and the number of mice in the container. Adding extra won’t hurt.

 

 

Q6: How can I replenish my mouse’s hydration during transport? There’s no way to place a water bottle in this cardboard box.

A6: Please do not place the water bottle inside the cardboard box.

When shipping, manufacturers typically include jelly as a source of hydration for mice. You can either make your own jelly using agar‑agar or purchase food‑grade jelly from the supermarket; if buying pre‑made jelly, look for varieties with fruit pieces—orange‑flavored ones are a great choice.

Students who want to make jelly at home can refer to this recipe↓

How to make jelly: Dissolve agar powder in water at a ratio of 1:10, bring it to a boil, then let it cool until it sets.

Figure 5: Jelly can be placed in the mouse cage to provide hydration.

 

 

 

Q7: I have several cages of mice, and I’d like to place them all in one box for shipping to save on cardboard. Is that acceptable?

A7: It’s not recommended to house rats from different cages in the same box, as they may fight.

If the box has dividers, it can be placed inside another box, but make sure the dividers are sturdy—some may loosen or fall off during transit.

 

 

Q8: How many mice can one carton hold? Can I pack more? I’m not sure how many to put in.

A8: The box models come in various sizes.

The small box (reference dimensions: 300×190×150 mm) can accommodate 6–8 adult mice.

Large boxes (reference dimensions: length ≥ 500 mm, width ≥ 30 mm) can accommodate up to 30 adult mice.

Figure 6: Large Box Reference

Be sure to confirm this during the pre-sales phase: in the summer, when temperatures are high, you’ll need to pack fewer mice per box.

It’s not advisable to house too many mice: for one thing, the box won’t be able to accommodate them all; for another, high mouse density can lead to some individuals being crushed or trampled to death. Moreover, with such a large number, the temperature inside the box will rise, and the mice’s urine can soak through the cardboard, potentially causing some to die of heat stress.

 

 

 

Q9: The weather is cold in winter, and I’m worried my mice might freeze to death. What should I do?

A9: First, ensure that the transport vehicle can maintain a constant temperature.

Secondly, place some cotton (in northern regions) or paper scraps inside the mouse housing box; if neither is available, use a generous layer of wood shavings as bedding.

If there is a significant temperature difference between the two provinces involved in transportation, it is not recommended to use cotton padding.

 

 

Q10: I’ve seen many different types of animal transportation online— which one is reliable?

A10: Animal transportation services online are a mixed bag; not long ago, there was even a news story about a woman whose dog suffocated during transit, which led to a wave of inquiries for quite some time asking whether we offer pet transport services. Image 。

There are three modes of animal transportation: land transport, rail transport, and air transport.

Land transportation is the most convenient and safest option, requiring minimal paperwork.

Rail transport requires a quarantine certificate, involves lengthy review periods and numerous procedures, and generates significant noise.

Air transport is subject to numerous regulations; sometimes a particular airline cannot carry the shipment, and at other times flights are canceled. Moreover, laboratory mice in their containers face the risk of overheating.

Strictly speaking, entrusting transportation to manufacturers or specialized laboratory animal suppliers is more reliable than standard shipping. They ship weekly, are more experienced and professional in handling laboratory animal transport, and are less likely to encounter unforeseen issues.

 

 

Q11: How can I ensure that my mice do not die during transport?

A11: First, choose a reputable seller.

Secondly, pay attention to the transit time—shorter durations are safer.

Third, pay attention to the seller’s shipping conditions and whether they can ensure a constant temperature.

Fourth, when packaging, ensure the density is not too high and that there is an adequate quantity of feed jelly.

Finally, avoid shipping mice that are in poor condition, have underlying health issues, or are elderly, as they are prone to mortality during transit.

Unfortunately, transportation cannot completely prevent mouse mortality. While vendors can ensure a constant temperature during transit, the packaging box cannot be opened en route, making it difficult to monitor the animals’ condition. Additionally, some mice are naturally timid and may become stressed or frightened, which can ultimately lead to death—something that is impossible to predict. We recommend ordering extra mice as a precaution when arranging shipment.

 

 

Q12: I’d like to transport a small animal by car myself. What should I keep in mind?

A12: Pay attention to the cabin temperature and ventilation, and avoid direct sunlight.

If you only have one box of mice and the number is small, you can place it in the trunk, but you must keep the vents open.

If the number of mice is large and there are also many cages, it is recommended to place them inside the vehicle. At this point, the oxygen supplied by the trunk’s ventilation openings may be insufficient to meet the respiratory needs of the experimental mice, potentially leading to mass mortality due to oxygen depletion and inadequate heat dissipation.

 

 

Q13: Are there any other things I should be aware of or watch out for?

A13: Before arranging shipment, be sure to clarify the mode of transport—whether it’s by road, rail, or air—and also confirm the specific train or flight number, the estimated delivery time, the scheduled pickup time, whether door-to-door delivery is included, and whether you’re requesting a fixed all‑in price or a step‑by‑step pricing structure.

Clarify the company’s information and credentials, and conduct a Baidu search to learn about its background, so you have a clear understanding.

Don’t trust sellers who give vague answers; don’t trust those who rush you to pay a deposit; don’t trust anyone who doesn’t provide a clear delivery timeframe; don’t trust sellers who keep changing the shipping schedule; and don’t trust prices that seem suspiciously low.

All of these could be unscrupulous vendors. For the sake of your laboratory mice’s safety, avoid this kind of supplier—not only will it waste your time and money, but it could also render your painstakingly earned experimental results futile. Everyone, keep your eyes wide open and stay vigilant.

 

That’s all for this episode of our mini‑lesson. For more interesting, engaging, and expert scientific insights, stay tuned to Aniphe BioLab.

Aniphe BioLab can provide for you Providing laboratory animal transportation services , Welcome to inquire.

 

 

Organized by | Aniphe BioLab Marketing Department

Supervising Producer  | Always

Editor-in-chief  | Lemon

Editor-in-chief  | Little Swallow

Editor  |  Lemon

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