Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which of the following statements about the size of animal caging is false?

1. The height of the cage is not important

2. The size of the floor space includes areas occupied by food and water containers

3. The size should meet the animal's behavioral needs

4. All cages must be compliant with regulations

The correct answer is: The size of the floor space includes areas occupied by food and water containers

The statement that the size of the floor space includes areas occupied by food and water containers is false because when determining the effective floor space available for an animal, only the area that the animal can use for movement and activity should be considered. Food and water containers, while necessary for the animal's survival and well-being, occupy space that the animal cannot utilize for those purposes. This means they should not be included in the calculation of available floor space, which is focused on meeting the animal's behavioral and exercise needs. On the other hand, statements about cage height potentially not being important, the necessity of cage size meeting behavioral needs, and the requirement for cages to comply with regulations are true in various contexts. While height may not be a critical factor for all species, it is still an essential aspect for some animals that exhibit climbing behavior. Ensuring adequate size to meet behavioral needs is crucial for promoting proper welfare and preventing stress or abnormal behaviors. Additionally, compliance with regulations is mandatory, ensuring the humane treatment of laboratory animals.