Light Dark Box

This test is used to assess anxiety. The basic measure is the animal’s preference for dark, enclosed places over bright, exposed places.

Procedure

The subject is placed in the dark portion of the box for a set period of acclimation time.  At the end of this period, a door separating the two compartments is opened. The amount of time that the subject takes to emerge fully from the enclosed area into the open area and the percentage of time spent in the dark and light chambers are measured.

Light-Dark Box