The Mouse Utopia Experiment

John Bumpus Calhoun's mouse experiment, Universe 25, was designed to explore the effects of overcrowding by creating an ideal environment for mice, complete with ample food, water, and shelter. Initially, the mice thrived in this 'utopia,' which consisted of a meticulously planned rodent apartment complex designed to house hundreds of mice comfortably. However, over time, the population explosion led to a drastic shift in behavior, culminating in what Calhoun termed a 'behavioral sink,' where social structures broke down and abnormal behaviors emerged. This decline included male mice losing sexual drive and females failing to care for their young, ultimately revealing the drawbacks of overpopulation even in an ostensibly perfect habitat.