Water bottle drinking training method for Daroul yellow rats suitable for group feeding

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of Daroul yellow rat training, and discloses a Daroul yellow rat water bottle drinking training method suitable for group rearing, comprising the following steps: S1, training pre-adaptation stage: configuring group adaptive drinking utensils and reasonably arranging the drinking utensils; s2, a group demonstration guiding stage: selecting high-response individuals in the group for preferential guiding to form demonstration; s3, in an autonomous cooperative training stage, each individual in the group is guided to autonomously complete a coherent water drinking action; s4, a group stability strengthening stage, wherein the autonomous drinking water environment is kept continuous and stable; s5, in a group feeding special optimization stage, behavior conflicts in group feeding are monitored; the invention aims to provide a Daroul yellow rat water bottle water drinking training method suitable for group feeding so as to solve the problems that water supply is unstable and is greatly influenced by vegetable freshness; intestinal flora disorder is easily caused, and the feeding death rate is increased; the water intake cannot be accurately controlled, and the accuracy of experimental data is influenced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of Daurian ground squirrel training technology, and more particularly to a water bottle drinking training method for Daurian ground squirrels suitable for group rearing. Background Technology

[0002] The Daurian ground squirrel is a widely distributed small rodent belonging to the genus *Mammillaria* in the family Sciuridae. It is characterized by its medium size, strong adaptability, and stable reproductive capacity. It typically inhabits open environments such as grasslands, farmlands, and desert edges, primarily feeding on plant seeds, stems, and leaves. As a species with both ecological and physiological research value, it is increasingly used in laboratory studies of population dynamics, behavior, and pharmacology. However, wild populations exhibit specific behavioral inertia, requiring tailored husbandry and management programs to meet experimental needs under artificial breeding conditions. The current laboratory breeding of Daurian ground squirrels in China faces a core technical bottleneck: because this species has not yet been successfully used as laboratory animals, wild-caught individuals generally exhibit the behavioral inertia of not using water bottles to drink. Pre-experiment observations showed that wild-caught female Daurian ground squirrels did not drink water, a result consistent with the breeding experience of other units and farmers. The industry commonly adopts the alternative of providing water through vegetables, but this method has three major drawbacks: Unstable water supply is greatly affected by the freshness of vegetables; it can easily cause intestinal flora imbalance, increasing mortality in feed; and the inability to accurately control water intake affects the accuracy of experimental data. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a water bottle drinking training method for Daurian ground squirrels suitable for group rearing, in order to solve the problems in the above-mentioned background technology, such as unstable water supply, which is greatly affected by the freshness of vegetables; easy to cause intestinal flora disorder, increasing the mortality rate of rearing; and inability to accurately control the amount of water consumed, which affects the accuracy of experimental data.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A method for training Daurian ground squirrels to drink water from bottles, suitable for group rearing, includes the following steps: S1. Pre-training adaptation stage: Configure group-adaptive drinking water equipment and arrange it reasonably; adjust the feeding environment parameters to a suitable range; select training groups that meet the requirements and identify individuals. S2, Group Demonstration and Guidance Phase: Select individuals with high responsiveness in the group for priority guidance to form a demonstration, and provide mild guidance to other individuals in the cage, while simultaneously recording the group's behavioral status; S3, Autonomous and Cooperative Training Phase: Guide each individual in the group to complete the continuous drinking action autonomously, track the training progress of each individual, and provide reinforcement guidance to individuals who have not met the standard. S4. The population stabilization and reinforcement phase: maintain the continuous stability of the autonomous drinking water environment, monitor individual drinking status and physiological indicators, and take emergency intervention measures for abnormal individuals. S5. In the special optimization stage of group rearing, monitor behavioral conflicts in group rearing, supplement drinking water equipment when necessary, and maintain the group training effect.

[0005] As a further improvement to this technical solution: the pre-training adaptation stage includes the following: configuring 500ml standard ball-bearing water bottles, cage rack fixing buckles, and light-colored identification stickers, with each ground squirrel corresponding to an independent water bottle, fixed on the cage rack, with the bottle opening level with the ground squirrel's shoulder height at approximately 8-10cm, and the distance between water bottles not less than 10cm; deploying temperature and humidity sensors, noise detectors, and dimmable lighting equipment to regulate the ambient temperature to 20-25℃, humidity to 50%-60%, noise not exceeding 50dB, and light intensity to 100-200lux; using an electronic scale to screen weaned infant mice aged 7-9 weeks, with a weight difference not exceeding 10%, and in good mental condition, and marking the individuals with ear tags or non-invasive fur color marking pens, with no more than 5 mice per cage.

[0006] As a further improvement to this technical solution: the group demonstration and guidance phase includes the following: three fixed training sessions per day, at 1 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4 pm, once every 1.5 hours, for a total of three training sessions per day; using sterile cotton swabs and disposable syringes, prioritizing individuals in the group who have mild reactions and strong exploratory desires, guiding them to touch the bottle mouth with their mouths after grasping the bottle, gently squeezing the water bottle until swallowing is observed, repeating 5 to 10 times; deploying high-definition cameras and behavior recording forms to record the drinking behavior of the demonstration individual and the observation and imitation reactions of other individuals, and using sterile cotton swabs dipped in clean water to apply water around the mouths and bottle mouths of other individuals.

[0007] As a further improvement to this technical solution: the autonomous collaborative training phase includes the following: continuing the training frequency and time period of three times a day, using non-slip gripping gloves and cage positioning barriers, each ground squirrel is brought close to its designated water bottle in turn, guiding it to autonomously complete the continuous action of touching the bottle mouth, triggering water dispensing, and licking the water. Each individual is guided 3 to 5 times in a single session; the training status of each individual is tracked through an individual identification correspondence table and a standard judgment record table. An individual is considered to have met the standard if it can independently complete the autonomous drinking action for two consecutive days. When the group's standard meeting rate reaches 80% or more, the next stage is entered; for resistant individuals, the drinking behavior of the model individual in the cage is used for reinforcement guidance, and if necessary, temporary isolation guidance is carried out through the cage positioning barriers.

[0008] As a further improvement to this technical solution, the group stabilization and reinforcement phase includes the following: keeping the water bottles in place for 24 hours a day, providing leak-proof bases and water bottle patency testing tools, checking the patency of the water bottles daily, and promptly replacing any clogged or abnormally discharging water bottles; completely stopping the supply of water and vegetables, providing only dry feed, and recording the daily water intake of each individual; preparing water and vegetable supply boxes, weight tracking scales, and individual isolation cages; if an individual experiences a weight loss of more than 10% or refuses to eat for at least 24 hours, immediately isolate them in a separate cage, resume the supply of water and vegetables, suspend training for 3 days, and then restart from the pre-training adaptation phase. The environment must be readjusted and the individual's condition confirmed before restarting the training to avoid secondary stress due to incomplete recovery of the individual.

[0009] As a further improvement to this technical solution, the special optimization stage of group rearing includes the following: monitoring the competition for drinking water among individuals in the cage through a group behavior monitoring camera, and adding spare water bottles when necessary, with one spare water bottle for every two individuals; cleaning up residual feed and feces in the cage before daily training, and keeping the water bottle openings clean; ensuring that the size difference between individuals in the same cage does not exceed 10%, and avoiding aggressive or bullying behaviors.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. This invention specifically solves the problem of artificial drinking training in the group rearing of Daurian ground squirrels, effectively adapting to the needs of group rearing scenarios. It avoids many limitations of traditional water supply methods, and through scientific equipment layout, individual identification and phased guidance, it ensures that each individual in the group can get sufficient training opportunities, reduces group competition and stress response, protects individual health and group rearing order, and realizes the stable establishment of autonomous drinking behavior at the group level.

[0011] 2. This invention is highly practical and operable. The required equipment is readily available, the training process is clear and orderly, and no complex professional equipment or operating skills are required, making it easy to quickly promote and apply in different laboratories. At the same time, the solution strengthens the stability of autonomous drinking behavior and fully protects animal welfare through precise guidance and emergency intervention mechanisms. It provides key technical support for the standardized laboratory breeding of Daurian ground squirrels and lays the foundation for precise control of water intake and reliability of experimental data in subsequent related studies.

[0012] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it according to the contents of the specification, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific embodiments of the present invention are given in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a water bottle training method for Daurian ground squirrels suitable for group rearing. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The principles and features of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples given are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The invention is described more specifically in the following paragraphs by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] Please see Figure 1 In this embodiment of the invention, a method for training Daurian ground squirrels to drink water from bottles, suitable for group rearing, includes the following steps: S1. Pre-training adaptation stage: Configure group-adaptive drinking water equipment and arrange it reasonably; adjust the feeding environment parameters to a suitable range; select training groups that meet the requirements and identify individuals. S2, Group Demonstration and Guidance Phase: Select individuals with high responsiveness in the group for priority guidance to form a demonstration, and provide mild guidance to other individuals in the cage, while simultaneously recording the group's behavioral status; S3, Autonomous and Cooperative Training Phase: Guide each individual in the group to complete the continuous drinking action autonomously, track the training progress of each individual, and provide reinforcement guidance to individuals who have not met the standard. S4. The population stabilization and reinforcement phase: maintain the continuous stability of the autonomous drinking water environment, monitor individual drinking status and physiological indicators, and take emergency intervention measures for abnormal individuals. S5. In the special optimization stage of group rearing, monitor behavioral conflicts in group rearing, supplement drinking water equipment when necessary, and maintain the group training effect. Specifically, S1 is the basic support stage, which solves the adaptation problems of equipment, environment and group; S2 is the initiation stage, which uses the group's imitation instinct to lower the training threshold; S3 is the core execution stage, which promotes individuals to master the skill of drinking water independently; S4 is the support stage, which consolidates the training effect and avoids risks; and S5 is the optimization stage, which adapts to the dynamic needs of group feeding.

[0016] The pre-training adaptation phase includes the following: providing a standard 500ml ball-bearing water bottle, cage rack fixing clips, and light-colored identification stickers. Each ground squirrel should have its own independent water bottle, fixed to the cage rack with the bottle opening at least 8-10cm above the squirrel's shoulder height and the distance between bottles no less than 10cm. Deploying temperature and humidity sensors, noise detectors, and dimmable lighting equipment to maintain an ambient temperature of 20-25℃, humidity of 50-60%, noise levels below 50dB, and light intensity between 100-200 lux. Using an electronic scale to screen weaned pups aged 7-9 weeks with a weight difference of no more than 10% and good mental condition, and marking them with ear tags or non-invasive fur-colored markers, with no more than 5 pups per cage. Specifically, a 500ml standard ball-bearing water bottle provides a stable water flow with a water resistance of ≤0.5N and a bottle mouth diameter of 2-3mm to avoid being startled by excessive water flow. Cage grate fixing buckles: Secure the water bottle to ensure its stable position and prevent it from tipping over when touched by the weasel; Light-colored label stickers: These provide visual assistance to help the weasel quickly locate its designated water bottle, reducing exploration time; Temperature and humidity sensors, noise detectors, and dimmable lighting equipment: monitor and regulate environmental parameters in real time to maintain a low-stress environment and prevent environmental fluctuations from affecting training; Electronic weighing scale: Selects individuals with uniform body shape to ensure synchronized training rhythm in the group; Ear tags or non-invasive fur marking pens: Designed to address the problem of difficulty in distinguishing individuals in group rearing. Ear tags are made of non-toxic silicone and weigh ≤0.1g. Fur marking pens use biodegradable pigments, neither of which will cause stress or harm to the ground squirrels. Through individual identification, the training progress, water intake, and physiological status of each ground squirrel can be accurately tracked, preventing weaker individuals from being overlooked. This provides support for subsequent phased and precise guidance and is a key foundation for collaborative group training. Key parameters: Bottle opening height 8-10cm to suit the standing drinking posture of ground squirrels; water bottle spacing ≥10cm to avoid fighting; environmental parameter thresholds (temperature 20-25℃, etc.) to ensure the suitable living range of ground squirrels; group selection criteria (7-9 weeks old, weight difference ≤10%) to ensure training synchronization.

[0017] The group demonstration and guidance phase includes the following: three fixed training sessions daily, at 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM, and 4:00 PM, once every 1.5 hours, for a total of three training sessions per day; using sterile cotton swabs and disposable syringes, prioritizing individuals in the group who have mild reactions and strong exploratory desires, guiding them to touch the bottle mouth with their mouths after grasping the bottle, gently squeezing the bottle until swallowing is observed, repeating 5 to 10 times; deploying high-definition cameras and behavior recording forms to record the drinking behavior of the demonstration individual and the observation and imitation reactions of other individuals, and using sterile cotton swabs dipped in clean water to apply water around the mouths and bottle mouths of other individuals; Specifically, the training time should be set during periods when the ground squirrels are more active and the environment is quiet to avoid frequent disturbances that could cause stress. A 1.5-hour interval should be provided to allow the group to fully digest the training content. Sterile cotton swabs: Dip them in clean water and apply them to the bottle mouth and around the mouth of the hamster to attract and trigger exploration behavior through scent, while avoiding cross-infection; Disposable syringe (needle removed): Gently squeeze the water bottle to supply water to the demonstration individual, helping them quickly establish the association between the bottle mouth and drinking water, ensuring the demonstration effect; High-definition camera: captures group behavior in real time, records the interaction between the demonstration individual and other individuals, and provides a basis for judging training progress; Behavior recording form: This form records the guidance response of each individual in a structured manner, filters out highly responsive individuals and resistant individuals, and provides data support for subsequent training adjustments. Core operating instructions: Prioritize guiding individuals with mild reactions and strong exploratory drive as role models. Utilize the imitative behavior of the ground squirrel group to reduce the resistance of other individuals to artificial tools. Combining mild guidance with scent attraction further enhances adaptation efficiency.

[0018] The autonomous and collaborative training phase includes the following: Continuing the training frequency and timing of three times daily, using non-slip gripping gloves and cage positioning barriers, each ground squirrel is guided to approach its designated water bottle in turn, and to autonomously complete the continuous action of touching the bottle mouth, triggering water dispensing, and licking the bottle to drink. Each individual is guided 3 to 5 times per session. The training status of each individual is tracked using an individual identification table and a achievement record sheet. An individual is considered to have achieved the standard if it can independently complete the autonomous drinking action for two consecutive days. The group's achievement rate reaches 80% or higher to proceed to the next stage. For resistant individuals, reinforced guidance is provided using demonstration individuals' drinking behavior within the cage. If necessary, temporary isolation and guidance are implemented using cage positioning barriers. Specifically, the non-slip gripping gloves are used to safely grip weasels, avoiding stress caused by sweaty hands or the weasel escaping, while also protecting the operator. Cage positioning dividers: Designed to address the issue of weaker individuals having difficulty obtaining guidance space in group rearing, these dividers are made of lightweight plastic and can be quickly disassembled without altering the cage structure. During use, they can temporarily separate resistant individuals from other groups, providing them with an independent guidance environment. This avoids group interference while maintaining the individual's familiarity with the cage environment, reducing secondary stress caused by solitary rearing. After guidance is complete, the dividers can be immediately removed to restore group rearing. Balancing individual adaptation and group synergy, this design is a key factor in improving the group's achievement rate. Individual Identifier Correspondence Table and Standard Assessment Record Table: Track training status according to individual identifiers, clarify the standard of independently completing self-drinking for two consecutive days, and ensure that the training effect is quantifiable and traceable; Core operational instructions: Continue the previous training frequency and time period to maintain training continuity; for resistant individuals, use a combination of demonstration reinforcement and temporary isolation guidance to both utilize the group imitation effect and ensure the effectiveness of individual guidance. The group achievement rate of ≥80% ensures training quality and avoids prematurely entering the next stage.

[0019] The group stabilization and reinforcement phase includes the following: keeping water bottles in place 24 hours a day, providing leak-proof bases and water bottle patency testing tools, checking water bottle patency daily, and promptly replacing clogged or abnormally dispensing water bottles; completely stopping the supply of water and vegetables, providing only dry feed, and recording the daily water intake of each individual; preparing water and vegetable supply boxes, weight tracking scales, and individual isolation cages. If an individual experiences a weight loss of more than 10% or refuses to eat for at least 24 hours, immediately isolate them in a separate cage, resume the supply of water and vegetables, suspend training for 3 days, and then restart from the pre-training adaptation phase. It is necessary to readjust the environment and confirm the individual's condition before restarting the training to avoid secondary stress caused by the individual not having fully recovered. Specifically, the water bottle leak-proof base collects leaked water, prevents the cage from becoming damp and contaminated, maintains a dry breeding environment, and reduces the risk of intestinal diseases; Water bottle patency check tool (thin metal wire, diameter ≤0.5mm): to clear blockages at the nozzle ball joint, ensure smooth water flow, and prevent training effectiveness degradation due to equipment malfunction; Moisture supply box for vegetables: Provides moisture to individuals in emergency situations, and features a sealed design to ensure the freshness of vegetables; Weight tracking scale: Monitors individual weight changes, promptly detects abnormal situations such as sudden weight loss, and provides a basis for emergency intervention; Individual isolation cages: provide an independent recovery environment for abnormal individuals, with the same size as the original cages, reducing environmental stress; Core operating instructions: Keep the water bottle in place 24 hours a day to allow the ground squirrel to consolidate its independent drinking behavior in a natural state; completely stop the supply of water and vegetables, forcing it to rely on the water bottle to drink, and strengthen the behavioral habit; the core logic of the emergency treatment process is to restore the individual's condition first, and then restart the training. Starting from S1 again can ensure that the individual readjusts to the environment and equipment, avoid secondary stress due to incomplete recovery, and balance training effectiveness and animal welfare.

[0020] The special optimization phase for group rearing includes the following: monitoring the competition for water among individuals in the cage using group behavior monitoring cameras, and adding spare water bottles as necessary, with one spare water bottle for every two individuals; cleaning up residual feed and feces in the cages before daily training and keeping the water bottle openings clean; ensuring that the size difference between individuals in the same cage does not exceed 10% to avoid aggressive or bullying behaviors. Specifically, group behavior monitoring cameras: monitor the water-fighting situation in the cage in real time, detect group conflicts in a timely manner, and prevent the degradation of drinking behavior due to fighting; Spare water bottles: To alleviate the pressure of group competition, the setting of one bottle for every two individuals not only avoids waste of equipment, but also meets emergency needs; Cage cleaning tools: Clean up leftover feed and feces, keep water bottle openings clean, avoid odors affecting the hamsters' willingness to drink, and reduce the risk of intestinal diseases; Key Operating Instructions: Setting a size difference of ≤10% prevents aggressive or bullying behavior among individuals in the same cage, and protects the drinking rights of weaker individuals; clean the cages and water bottle openings daily to maintain a hygienic living environment and ensure long-term, stable independent drinking behavior.

[0021] The method of use and working principle of this invention are as follows: Instructions for use: Before use, complete the pre-training preparations, including configuring and properly arranging watering equipment, adjusting the rearing environment to a suitable state, selecting qualified groups and labeling individuals; then conduct group demonstrations at fixed times, prioritizing training demonstration individuals to help other individuals become familiar with the watering equipment; next, maintain the training frequency, guiding each individual to complete the continuous drinking action independently, tracking progress and providing reinforcement guidance to individuals that have not yet met the standards; afterward, maintain a stable independent drinking environment, stop alternative water supply methods, monitor individual status and intervene promptly for abnormal situations; finally, continuously monitor behavioral conflicts in the group rearing, supplement watering equipment as needed, clean the environment and maintain group order to ensure long-term stable training results.

[0022] Working Principle: Based on the olfactory sensitivity, tactile exploration instinct, and group imitation characteristics of Daurian ground squirrels, this system follows the core logic of low stress and gradual adaptation. Initial resistance is reduced through early environmental and equipment adaptation; the behavior of exemplary individuals triggers group imitation, reducing the overall group's unfamiliarity with artificial drinking vessels. Through phased guidance, individuals gradually establish the association that touching the bottle spout equals obtaining water. Individual identification enables precise tracking and differentiated guidance, ensuring each individual masters the skill. Simultaneously, stable environment, emergency intervention, and group optimization mitigate training risks, strengthen independent drinking habits, and ultimately achieve the goal of enabling ground squirrels to independently use water bottles for drinking in a group setting.

[0023] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Those skilled in the art can readily implement the present invention based on the accompanying drawings and the description above. However, any modifications, alterations, or variations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, using the disclosed technical content, are equivalent embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, any modifications, alterations, or variations made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of the present invention are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for training Daurian ground squirrels to drink water from bottles, suitable for group rearing, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Pre-training adaptation stage: Configure group-adaptive drinking water equipment and arrange it reasonably; adjust the feeding environment parameters to a suitable range; select training groups that meet the requirements and identify individuals. S2, Group Demonstration and Guidance Phase: Select individuals with high responsiveness in the group for priority guidance to form a demonstration, and provide mild guidance to other individuals in the cage, while simultaneously recording the group's behavioral status; S3, Autonomous and Cooperative Training Phase: Guide each individual in the group to complete the continuous drinking action autonomously, track the training progress of each individual, and provide reinforcement guidance to individuals who have not met the standard. S4. The population stabilization and reinforcement phase: maintain the continuous stability of the autonomous drinking water environment, monitor individual drinking status and physiological indicators, and take emergency intervention measures for abnormal individuals. S5. In the special optimization stage of group rearing, monitor behavioral conflicts in group rearing, supplement drinking water equipment when necessary, and maintain the group training effect.

2. The method for training Daurian ground squirrels to drink water from bottles, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The pre-training adaptation phase includes the following: Configuring a 500ml standard ball-bearing water bottle, cage rack fixing clips, and light-colored identification stickers. Each ground squirrel has its own independent water bottle, fixed to the cage rack with the bottle opening approximately 8-10cm above the squirrel's shoulder height, and the distance between bottles not less than 10cm; deploying temperature and humidity sensors, noise detectors, and dimmable lighting equipment to control the ambient temperature at 20-25℃, humidity at 50%-60%, noise not exceeding 50dB, and light intensity at 100-200lux; using an electronic scale to screen weaned sucklings aged 7-9 weeks, with a weight difference not exceeding 10%, and in good mental condition, and marking them with ear tags or non-invasive fur marking pens, with no more than 5 squirrels per cage.

3. The method for training Daurian ground squirrels to drink water from bottles, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The group demonstration and guidance phase includes the following: Three fixed training sessions are held daily: 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m., once every 1.5 hours, for a total of three training sessions per day. Sterile cotton swabs and disposable syringes are used to guide individuals in the group who are mild-mannered and have a strong desire to explore. After grasping the bottle, guide them to touch the mouth with their mouths and gently squeeze the bottle until swallowing is observed. Repeat this 5 to 10 times. High-definition cameras and behavior recording forms are deployed to record the drinking behavior of the demonstration individual and the observation and imitation reactions of other individuals. Sterile cotton swabs are used to apply clean water to the mouths and mouths of other individuals.

4. The method for training Daurian ground squirrels to drink water from bottles, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The autonomous and collaborative training phase includes the following: Continuing the training frequency and duration three times daily, using non-slip gripping gloves and cage positioning barriers, each ground squirrel is brought close to its designated water bottle, guided to autonomously complete the continuous action of touching the bottle mouth, triggering water dispensing, and licking the bottle to drink. Each individual is guided 3 to 5 times per session. The training status of each individual is tracked using an individual identification table and a achievement record table. An individual is considered to have achieved the standard if it can independently complete the autonomous drinking action for two consecutive days. The group's achievement rate reaches 80% or higher to proceed to the next stage. For resistant individuals, reinforced guidance is provided using demonstration individuals' drinking behavior within the cage. If necessary, temporary isolation and guidance are implemented using cage positioning barriers.

5. The method for training Daurian ground squirrels to drink water from bottles, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The group stabilization and reinforcement phase includes the following: keeping the water bottles in place 24 hours a day, providing leak-proof bases and water bottle patency testing tools, checking the water bottle patency daily, and promptly replacing any clogged or abnormally discharging water bottles; completely stopping the supply of water and vegetables, providing only dry feed, and recording the water consumption of each individual daily. Prepare a water and vegetable supply box, a weight tracking scale, and a separate isolation cage. If an individual experiences a weight loss of more than 10% or refuses to eat for at least 24 hours, immediately isolate the individual in a separate cage, resume the water and vegetable supply, suspend training for 3 days, and then restart from the pre-training adaptation stage. It is necessary to readjust the environment and confirm the individual's condition before starting the training again to avoid secondary stress caused by the individual not having fully recovered.

6. The method for training Daurian ground squirrels to drink water from bottles, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The specific optimization phase for group rearing includes the following: Monitoring cameras are used to monitor competition for water among individuals in the cages. If necessary, spare water bottles are added, with one spare water bottle for every two individuals. Before each training session, residual feed and feces in the cages are cleaned, and the water bottle openings are kept clean. The size difference between individuals in the same cage is ensured to be no more than 10% to avoid aggressive or bullying behavior.

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