This article is from the WSSF 2011 AFRMA Rat & Mouse Tales news-magazine.

Submitted by Leigh Freeman, San Diego, CA

A company in Israel is using mice at security checkpoints to sniff out explosives. Having a hyper-sensitive olfactory capability, they are able to quickly identify specific odors as being unpleasant. These Biosensor mice only take about 10 days to get basic training, with just a few days more for additional odors, and a refresher course every month or so. They react to unpleasant odors by moving into a different compartment in their enclosure. It only takes 3–6 seconds for one of these mice to check a person or item and does not involve any physical contact; in fact, the mice are completely hidden from the people.