A common light cycle for breeding rodents consists of how many hours of light and darkness?

The common light cycle for breeding rodents is traditionally set at 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness. This cycle mimics the natural light conditions that rodents would experience in the wild, which is important for their breeding and daily behaviors.

Rodents are generally nocturnal animals, meaning they are more active during the dark hours. A balance of light and darkness is crucial not only for breeding but also for their overall health and welfare. Maintaining a consistent light cycle helps regulate their circadian rhythms, which can influence breeding cycles, feeding patterns, and activity levels.

While other light cycles mentioned in the options could theoretically be used, they do not align with the established norms for breeding rodents, where a 12/12 cycle is the standard. Deviating significantly from this pattern may affect reproductive performance and animal behavior negatively.