Equipment designed to perform social interaction tests on mice.

This test allows the experimental subject to freely explore an unfamiliar conspecific in its cage or in a neutral environment. Social exploration is measured by the amount of time the experimental subject spends around the conspecific, as well as the amount and duration of the behaviours that make up the social interaction (e.g., sniffing, following, grooming, biting, mounting, fighting, etc.). Social avoidance behaviour is used in a wide variety of models, for example, to assess neophobia anxiety and depression-like behaviours. This social box provides an ideal experimental environment for performing social interaction tasks.

The box is divided into three interconnected compartments. Sliding doors are available to confine the animal to a specific compartment during testing. Two grid enclosures containing "strange" animals can be placed in the box, allowing close interaction with the tested animal (as well as protection in case one of them manifests strong aggressive behaviour).