Bio-Serv Rat Tunnel Red Tinted 3 in. ID x 6 in. Length Lot of 12 Tunnels

Bio-Serv® Polycarbonate Rat Tunnels, Red Tinted, 3 in. ID x 6 in. L (K3325) – Lot of 12

The Bio-Serv® K3325 is a professional-grade environmental enrichment device engineered to support the natural burrowing, nesting, and sheltering behaviors of laboratory rodents within vivariums and biomedical research facilities. Fabricated from premium, high-purity **polycarbonate plastic**, these tunnels feature a transparent red tint that aligns perfectly with rodent visual physiology—blocking their perception of white light to create a secure, dark shelter while permitting unhindered, non-disruptive visual monitoring by facility technicians. Supplied as a tracking-coded lot of 12 tunnels, this durable model withstands repeated autoclaving cycles, complying fully with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and international animal welfare (AAALAC) standards.

Technical Performance & Design

• Rodent-Blind Red Tint Spectrum: Outfitted with a specialized red hue that filters out bright ambient laboratory light waves. Because rats lack photoreceptors for red wavelengths, the interior feels like a dark burrow to them, reducing cortisol levels and behavioral stress while leaving them fully visible to personnel.
• High-Impact Polycarbonate Resin: Molded from ultra-durable, thick-walled polycarbonate plastic. This rigid architecture resists gnawing, scratching, and accidental drops, preventing sharp stress fractures or splintering that could injure the animals.
• Full Facility Decontamination Lifecycles: Engineered to endure aggressive sanitization protocols. These tunnels are completely safe for high-temperature machine washing and repeated **steam autoclaving ($121^\circ\text{C} / 250^\circ\text{F}$)** without warping, clouding, or cracking.
• Smooth Internal Geometry: The seamless cylinder design completely eliminates tight crevices or structural blind spots, allowing cleaning solutions to drain freely and preventing the build-up of waste material or biological biofilms.

Product Specifications

• Model Number / SKU: K3325 (Certified Lab Animal Enrichment Series)
• Primary Manufacturer: Bio-Serv®, Inc.
• Internal Diameter (ID): 3 inches ($\approx 7.6\text{ cm}$ / Volume footprint optimized for adult rats and larger rodents)
• Structural Length: 6 inches ($\approx 15.2\text{ cm}$)
• Material Chemistry: 100% High-Grade Virgin Polycarbonate
• Color Morphology: Translucent Red Tint
• Sterility & Reusability Class: Non-Sterile baseline | Multi-cycle reusable and autoclavable
• Regulatory Compliance: Meets standard AAALAC guidelines for environmental enrichment, helping facilities fulfill "The Guide" requirements for laboratory animal care
• Packaging Configuration: Commercial Facility Lot of 12 Tunnels (Securely packed in bulk protective wrapping to preserve surface finish during transit)

Key Benefits & Applications

• Stress and Anxiety Mitigation: Provides a psychological retreat and physical barrier within standard wire-top or IVC cages, significantly reducing aggressive barbering, pacing, and stereotypical behaviors among co-housed or single-housed rats.
• Non-Invasive Technical Inspections: Enables vivarium technicians, veterinary staff, and regulatory inspectors to verify breathing, posture, and general health parameters without lifting the cage lid or disturbing the animal's sleep cycle.
• Thermoregulation and Nest Support: Functions as a sturdy anchor for nesting sheets, cellulose fibers, or wood shavings, helping animals build complex, multi-tiered nesting structures to properly manage their microenvironment.
• Post-Operative Recovery Isolation: Ideal for housing animals recovering from surgical implants or stereotaxic procedures, giving them a comforting, low-stress environment while protecting headcaps or sutures from cage barriers.

Bio-Serv® is a registered commercial trademark of Bio-Serv, Inc. Part number K3325 specifies the 3" x 6" red-tinted polycarbonate configuration. For smaller rodent models such as mice or weanling rats, alternative sizing configurations (such as the 2" x 4" mouse tunnels, SKU K3322) or paper-based disposable alternatives should be integrated into caging plans instead.