Globally, legislation differs between countries and geographical regions. Either all animals used in research are protected (specific species or ages are not prescribed) or the legislation identifies which animals at what stage of development are included.
| Country or region . | Protected animals . |
|---|---|
| Australia | Vertebrates of all developmental stages Cephalopods of all developmental stages |
| Brazil | All animals |
| China | All animals |
| Europe | Adult vertebrates Mammalian, bird and reptile fetuses in last third of development Amphibians and fish at the free-feeding stage Cephalopods at the free-feeding stage |
| India | All animals |
| South Africa | All vertebrates including eggs, fetuses and embryos Cephalopods Decapods |
| USA | Warm-blooded vertebrates except farm animals used in food and fibre research, rats of the genus Rattus and mice of the genus Mus |
| Country or region . | Protected animals . |
|---|---|
| Australia | Vertebrates of all developmental stages Cephalopods of all developmental stages |
| Brazil | All animals |
| China | All animals |
| Europe | Adult vertebrates Mammalian, bird and reptile fetuses in last third of development Amphibians and fish at the free-feeding stage Cephalopods at the free-feeding stage |
| India | All animals |
| South Africa | All vertebrates including eggs, fetuses and embryos Cephalopods Decapods |
| USA | Warm-blooded vertebrates except farm animals used in food and fibre research, rats of the genus Rattus and mice of the genus Mus |