Other Animals at a Glance

Each animal needed for research provides a model for a unique aspect of a study.  For example, fruit flies share 75% of the genes that cause disease in humans and contribute to studies of human genetics. The anatomy and physiology of rabbits are similar to that of humans.  Rabbits have contributed to the understanding and treatment of many diseases in both people and animals. They are also important for evaluating the safety and efficacy of new medications.

Did you Know?

Rabbits are important in the study of cardiovascular disease, particularly hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Rabbits are used as models for cystic fibrosis and cholera.

The diet of an adult rabbit consists of fresh hay, water, and fresh vegetables.

About 75% of human disease-causing genes are found in the fruit fly in a similar form.

Surgical lasers were developed using rabbits.

Rabbits are used to produce antibodies, used for research into infectious diseases and immunology.

The rabbit was the first animal model of cancer caused by a virus.

Fruit flies have been and integral part in studying genetics for over 100 years.

Fruit flies have a short, simple reproduction cycle. It is normally about 8-14 days, depending on the environmental temperature. This means that several generations can be observed in a matter of months.

  • Pigeon

    Pigeons, otherwise known as "Rock Doves,"  were once popular animal models in comparative psychology and have contributed to considerable research on pigeon… Read More ›

  • Rabbit

    Rabbits are the reason our dogs and cats can live with us in our houses.  Louis Pasteur worked with rabbits to develop… Read More ›

  • Ferret

    Ferrets are important models for peptic ulcer disease, carotenoid metabolism, cystic fibrosis, and drug emesis screening due to some anatomical and physiological… Read More ›

  • Fruit Fly

    Fruit flies have helped to develop drugs designed to treat a range of diseases from skin infections and genetic disorders to pneumonia,… Read More ›