Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which other species commonly resides in aquatic cages in laboratory environments?

1. Zebrafish

2. White mice

3. Rats

4. Budgerigars

The correct answer is: Zebrafish

Zebrafish are the species that commonly reside in aquatic cages in laboratory settings. They are often used in research because of their rapid lifecycle, genetic tractability, and transparent embryos, which allow for real-time observation of developmental processes and responses to drugs or environmental changes. Aquatic cages provide the optimal environment for zebrafish, allowing researchers to observe their behavior and physiology in a controlled aquatic habitat. Other species listed, such as white mice, rats, and budgerigars, are typically housed in terrestrial environments. Mice and rats are commonly kept in standard laboratory cages designed for terrestrial mammals, while budgerigars, being birds, live in aviary-type housing that caters to their arboreal nature, neither of which involves aquatic environments. This distinction highlights the specialized needs and research applications for different species in laboratory settings.