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> The National Academy of Sciences recommends housing mice between 20 and 26 degrees Celsius — about 68 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit. But the natural comfortable temperature for mice is warmer — between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit).

I didn't see an explanation of why this recommendation is below the "comfortable temperature" of mice. Is there a specific reason this temperature is recommended?

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I dont have an answer, but could be for same reasons why hospitals keep it on the cooler side: Less fungal / bacteria growth. Less mites, insects, bugs, etc.

The GP comment is asking how 30-32 C was determined to be the most comfortable temperature for mice, not why we keep them cooler than the mice like.

That's not how I read it.

Anyway, here is my guess for the two questions:

1) The recommended temperature in the lab is based on other factors than the mice's prefered temperature. E.g. comfort of the scientists and technicians, spread of bacteria etc.

2) The temperature prefered by mice was determined by studying them in the wild or in the lab. E.g., if given the choice between two places of different temperature, which do they pick?

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