Sherwin, C. M. 1996. Preferences of laboratory mice for characteristics of soiling sites. Animal Welfare 5, 283-288.

These results show that the mice defecated in localized areas and preferred to defecate in areas containing sawdust [rather than on bare plastic floors]. These results support other evidence which indicates that conventional cage designs for mice do not provide a sufficiently complex environment to allow selective soiling behaviour. Such cages might therefore be inadequate with respect to catering for the psychological needs and overall welfare of laboratory mice.