ENVIRONMENT (cont)
Light intensity should be kept relatively low, between 130 - 325 lux, to prevent retinal damage in albino rodents. Commonly, a second battery of lights is used while you are working in the animal room. An interval timer may be used to assure that the work light is turned off after you leave.
Generally, the light cycle in rodent rooms is 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. Some investigators have better success breeding rodents if 14 to 16 hours of light is provided.
Nocturnal activity of rodents can be observed using a red light source since the animals will still perceive darkness.