Hepatitis B virus belongs to the hepatotropic DNA virus, which is a complex DNA virus. Since the 1970s, researchers have identified Dane particles (i.e. HBV particles) under electron microscopy and clarified that the surface component of HBV particles is HBsAg, the core-shell component is HBcAg, and the nuclear component is HBeAg. HBV is a very small enveloped virus, with HBV DNA and HBV specific polymerase encapsulated by the core-shell into core particles, which are then enveloped by the outer membrane of lipoproteins containing HBsAg. Dane particles have strong infectivity, and infection has obvious species specificity. The susceptible hosts of human HBV are limited to advanced primates such as humans and chimpanzees. In recent years, there have been reports of establishing HBV experimental infection models in animals such as chimpanzees, Peking ducks, groundhogs, tree shrews, bear monkeys, and nude mice. At present, some progress has been made in the research of HBV transgenic mice with HBV whole genome, S genome, and X genome, as well as experimental animal models of ducklings and transgenic mice infected with HBV.