|
|
|---|
|
 |
Pet Mice
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dr. Jungles says..."this is the perfect pocket pet!" | |
|---|---|
|
|
Mice not only captivate our imagination but they play a very important part in history also. One of our favorite mice is Mickey Mouse who has delighted us since the late 1920's. They are the smallest mammals to ever be domesticated, and mouse breeding is an ancient hobby! |
|
Photo
: Exotic Tropicals
|
|
The mouse is a very adaptable creature who can thrive in almost any environment and has resisted mans' attempts to eradicate it for centuries.
Mankind has learned a lot from studying mice and using them in a variety of situations to determine what would happen to people in the same situation. They are not only interesting, but educational!
For information about Small Animals and their care visit:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy
Small Animal
| Geographic Distribution Mus musculus |
|---|
| Data provided by Global Biodiversity Information Facility |
Mus sylvaticus - Field Mice
Mus minutus - Harvest Mice
Mus musculus domesticus - Pet Mice or "Fancy Mice"
Background:
House Mice originated in the central and southern
parts of Asia, but are very adaptable and have spread all over the world.
The Pet Mice or Fancy Mice are domesticated forms of the House Mice.
In Europe and Asia people began to exchanged mice for their
fur and coloring in the 1800's and the term "fancy mice" came
into use. In about 1900, Walter Maxey and other mouse fanciers formed
the National Mouse Club in England and "fancy mice" have since
been kept and bred as a pet.
Mice have been used for many purposes over many centuries. The word "mouse" comes from a 4,000 year old word 'mush' which means 'to steal'. In the orient, mice were used by the Chinese in religious rituals as early as 1100 B.C., referring to them as the "ancient one", while the Japanese believed them to be a messenger from the gods. Greeks used them to predict the future and even worshipped them, sailors and miners used them to test air quality in submarines and mines, science uses them to study genetics and disease, and they have even been sent to outer space.
Description:
Mice weigh on average 1 ounce and are approximately
2.5 to 3.5 inches long (without the tail).
The fancy mice or pet mice are a domesticated form of the
wild house mouse, of which there are a number of different subspecies.
Today there are many different varieties of pet mice or fancy mice. The
most common domestic mice are the white albino ones which were (and still
are) used in laboratories.
Various other mice strains have been developed in laboratories
from inbreeding. These various strains will have individual characteristics
such as being a more long lived mouse, or one that tends to develop more
tumors, or needs a specialized diet, as well as other traits such as being
more temperamental, more nippy, or more flighty.
There are some unique strains of mice!
One is known as the "waltzing" or "shaker" mice, or
sometimes the "Japanese" mice as they were first recognized
in Japan. These mice are defective in their balancing ability and appear
to "waltz" rather than move about as normal mice do.
Another is the "singing" mice that make a faint twittering sound
that is distinct from other mice and makes us think of singing.
Pet mice are available in several colors and patterns due to specialized breeding by mouse hobbyists. Actually there are more than 70O color and coat varieties. Coats can be smooth, curly, longhaired or even a combination of these. The most usual color variations include brown, black, tan, gray and albino with both lighter and darker shades of these as well.
Environment:
There are many different cages available
for keeping mice as pets. One of the best kind is a glass terrarium with
a wire top. When considering where to put your mouse cage, think about
what problems could arise by putting it in different places. You should’t
put it directly in front of a window, as sunlight tends to annoy mice
and make them very uncomfortable. You also should’t put it where
drafts are, because this also could result in sickness. Keep it up on
on a table or stand where it won't be easy to knock over, but where people
will be able to readily reach and view it.
Make sure they have a good soft bedding of wood shavings or prepared litter. Corncob bedding obtained at pet stores
works well as do beddings made of recycled paper and cardboard. Wood beddings
provided by most major suppliers are simply kiln dried natural wood products.
Generally it is best to not use beddings with additives. Chlorophyll bedding
has chlorophyll added to give it a clean, fresh aroma. It is green and
so not recommended for white small animals as it will discolor their fur.
Wood shavings should be used in cages that are open with good ventilation,
rather than enclosed containers. Cedar shavings should be avoided as it
is more aromatic and there is concern by some that this or possibly the
natural resins in cedar may be harmful. Some small animals can develop
allergies due to the dust in moldy hay or in bedding.
Mice are nest builders and will make nests from their bedding
to sleep in and have babies in.
For water, you can use a water bottle with
a hanger that allows mice to get water whenever they are thirsty.
Clean cages thoroughly with hot water at least once a week
and change the bedding at least twice weekly.
Care and feeding:
Mice need a completely balanced diet. This includes carbohydrates
(whole oats, hay, stale bread), vegetables (lettuce, carrots, peas, etc),
and protein (such as dog biscuits). An easy way to feed mice is to get
the formulated mouse foods available at pet stores, which
have all the vitamins and minerals that mice need.
Mice do enjoy treats, and things such as
fresh vegetables, sunflower seeds, cheese, jam, and fruit and grain bars
from pet stores will be much appreciated. Feed them once a day in a small
china or pottery dish and remove any uneaten fresh food at the end of
the day. Clean the food dish thoroughly with hot water at least twice
weekly.
Mice also have constantly growing teeth, and so should be
provided with something to chew on to keep them in good
chewing condition. Hard nuts, such as acorns and walnuts work, and also
flavored wood sticks from pet stores. Make sure that mice have a constant
supply of water. Commercial water bottles are probably the best choice.
Social Behaviors:
Mice are very sociable creatures and like to have company.
One mouse can do fine as a pet, but they appreciate having friends of
their own kind as well. Most mice get along fine with each other, but
you should watch out putting males together (unless they grew up together),
because they will tend to fight, especially if females are present. Usually
females can be put together with no ill effects.
Mice are great with children, but they should be kept away
from the other pets of the house (dogs, cats, birds). They should also
be kept away from other rodents such as rats, because rats are their natural
predators.
Handling and Training:
Mice generally become tame pretty quickly and are
easy to handle and hold. The best way to pick them up is to grab the middle
of their tail gently and then place them in the palm of your other hand.
If they are very familiar with you, you can pick them up directly.
Mice can be taught simple tricks, such as taking food from
your fingers once they are comfortable with you and even retrieving treats
from your pocket. With lots of patience, they can learn even more sophisticated
things such as climbing ladders, walking "tightropes", racing,
and traveling through mazes. Of course, one of the best ways to train
them to do simple tricks is to reward them with a treat every time they
do something right.
Activities - Exercise and Play:
Nocturnal by nature, mice usually spend more time sleeping
during the day than at night.
They are extremely active and love to exercise and play.
Exercise wheels are great for mice because they will occupy their time
and keep them healthy. You can purchase or make tubes, ladders, and climbing
blocks also.
Mice also like to chew. Not only is this beneficial to keep
their always growing teeth trimmed down, it is a favorite activity. Be
sure they have plenty of chews, sticks and twigs.
They also like to hide, so giving them cardboard boxes or
nest boxes will give them a place to go when they want to sleep. Of course
they will probably also chew up their boxes, so be sure to replace them
from time to time.
Mice will spend quite a bit of their time sleeping!
Breeding/Reproduction:
If you are planning on breeding your mice, then you should
get some nesting material to put in one corner of the cage. This can usually
consist of something like grass or hay. You should have one male in the
cage - no more! If there is more than one male mouse in a cage, then they
tend to fight. There can be as many females as you like as they always
get along with each other and will actually help take care of all the
babies, not just their own.
Female mice reach sexual maturity at about 6 weeks old, and
males take a week or two longer. Females can have up to 15 litters a year,
and can become pregnant within 24 hours after giving birth. So if you
don't want more babies immediately after the first litter, it can be a
good idea to remove the males. However, males can be kept with the females
after the babies are born as they will not harm the young (and often actually
help to babysit!).
When baby mice are born they are deaf, naked, and blind.
Within two weeks the babies will look just like their parents, just smaller.
They may be weaned in approximately five to six weeks.
Ailments/Treatments:
Mice are hardy resilient animals and rarely get sick.
However, if not taken care of properly they can become ill. Most ailments
are preventable simply from taking proper care of the animal.
Signs that your mouse is sick include such things as not
eating/losing weight, dull coat, runny eyes and nose, and huddling in
a corner not appearing active. In general, if you notice your mouse is
sick make sure to completely clean and disinfect the cage and change the
bedding. Make sure it has plenty of food and water and isn't in drafts
or damp conditions.
Respiratory Infections/pneumonia: The indications that your mouse has a respiratory infection or even pneumonia
are runny nose, lack of appetite, inactivity, weight los,and labored breathing.
Respiratory Infections are generally caused from being in drafts and/or
damp bedding. Make sure he is taken out of drafts and the cage is completely
clean and dry, and place a dry cloth over the cage. Pneumonia will require
an antibiotic therapy, and possibly a visit to a veterinarian.
Asthma: This is usually attributed to an allergic reaction to dust, especially
the dust of moldy hay. Provide a clean dry environment, and always replace
damp hay and beddings.
Fits: Sometimes a mouse is prone to fits, where it dashes around in circles
until it falls down exhausted. There is no apparent reason for this and
no known treatment.
Diarrhea: If your mouse has watery droppings and appears to have diarrhea,
then the cause is most likely from having too many fresh greens and
fruits. The simple remedy to this is to remove them completely and not
feed the fresh foods at all for a few days until he appears to be getting
better. Then slowly re-introduce fresh food every few days.
Mites/lice/parasites: Generally dirty conditions may provide breeding places for these
types of pests so make sure and provide a dry, clean environment. Completely
clean and disinfect the cage. Mites are especially harmful to mice and
will cause a loss of fur and encrustation of the skin. Many blood sucking
parasites can be eliminated with special powders available from a veterinarian
or pet store.
Skin Diseases: These are fungal diseases where there are small areas of hair
loss and scalyness. Generally this condition is contracted from children
who have ringworm. It is best to go to a veterinarian for this.
Ear Infections: Often indicated by a mouse walking in circles or with its
head tilted. This is usually caused by an inner ear infection or by parasites.
A drop of mineral oil on a cotton swab will work to wipe the ear and may
provide some relief. See a veterinarian to determine the cause and for
treatment.
Cancer(tumors): The most common form of cancer is mammary tumors. These are
generally attributed to old age or viral infections. Keep your pet as
comfortable as possible and provide the best nutrition possible.
Availability/Purchasing your Mouse:
Pet mice are readily available.
When purchasing your mouse, you should look for an overall
healthy appearance and alertness. It should have a long body and clean
head, smooth and not bumpy, and should arch a little over the loins. The
fur should be sleek and smooth. It should have large bold eyes and ears
that stand erect and be scoop shaped. The tail should be as long as the
body, wide at the base and tapering to the end with no kinks.
Comments from people who have kept this pet:
I cannot emphasize enough how bad an idea it is to house multiple males together. I made the mistake of housing 3 males together; 1 died within a few weeks (I suspect from stress) and the other 2 fought for the remainder of their lives, to the point of drawing massive amounts of blood. I actually thought they'd end up killing one another. Males' urine also smells intensely: I can guarantee that a male's cage will constantly stink no matter how clean you keep it. Females get along just fine, however, and without the offensive odor. Make sure to provide plenty of toys. They can and will chew through soft plastic (including some water bottles!). Make sure not to overcrowd too many mice into a cage. Every pet store I've ever been to has provided inadequate room for mice, and many cages marketed for mice (e.g. Habitrail, SuperPet) are sufficient for no more than 2-3 mice, max.
I just got an albino little girl mouse and she's scared. Hopefully she'll get used to me, but I found the information here helpful.
I have recently become a proud owner of a mouse family. When I first got mine the male was definately well endowed. The female really loves him and their cages are set next to each other so they can visit (without touching) while she raises the young. The male actually sings and tells bedtime stories and even has a ton of a mating call that brings the female to his side of the cage and seems to send the babies to bed for naps. Even though they are only 26 days old, I'm finding that the two known males of the litter (very well endowed and dominant) are actually having fights for their attention. The little females could care less if they are around or not. So I believe that they are maturing faster than the average mouse would. At first it seemed like play but there are times when they need to be separated for a time. Their mom is friendly and their father loves people, they make a good pair and they have been fun to be with. The rest of the litter proves at least one female and the others being smaller, not yet definite but are looking female. My female had her litter (each individual pup) one hour apart, caring for the new born with cleaning and feeding as soon as it was born then putting it in her self made nest. I had cut small 1 inch squares of paper towel for her. She lined the bottom of her box then proceeded to place one square of paper towel over each baby as she placed it in the nest. It was amazing to watch her as if she was putting a blanket for warmth over her new borns. I wonder now how often she watched me going to sleep at night. She seemed so unbothered by my watching her through the whole process... she's amazing! And I thought I didn't like mice.
I have a brown and gray young mouse named Rita. she has some of the best qualities a mouse could have. After reading this I know the best ways to take care of the best mouse! I thank you very much!
I have a small white and brown mouse named Ratatouille. He is a male and very kind. If you leave him on your chest he will find his way to the back of you and back again. I have to be careful because my mouse is staying at my Grandmas right now and my grandpa doesn't like pet mice in the house. Well my uncle who has moved out left his corn snake here and my mouse was suppose to be snake food, but I saved his life. He is just the cutest little mouse ever.
My neighbor has a pet mouse and she just had babies. There are about 7 gray ones and two dark brown ones. I want one really bad, but my mom is afraid of mice and my dad thinks that mice make crappy pets. He says that they stink and that they dont do anything:/ I really want one because I love mice. I think they are soo cute, and I love to hold my neighbors mouse all the time! :] -Lauren-
Some of the coolest comments:
I've always loved mice since I was a child. I found my first nest of wild baby mice in my uncles barn in the glove box of an old car being stored there. They were so tiny, pink, and delicate. Thankfully their mother had them safely hidden from the farm cats (though my Uncle wasn't so pleased to have mice in his barn). Years later I bought a white mouse at a pet shop. She had a short, shiny, silky coat, and was just weaned from her momma. I took her home, named her Twinky, and kept her in a 10 gallon aquarium with a mouse wheel (for exercise), a tiny coconut nest(with a hole drilled in it for sleeping during the day), cotton critter bedding material (to sleep on in the coconut), well cleaned grape vines (for climbing on), dust free wood shavings (for the tank floor), a tiny bell shaped bell on a thin piece of wire hanging from the tank lid (for her to play with), 2 tiny ceramic dishes (for water and food), and a plexyglass lid (which I drilled tiny air hole in and glued a handle on - as mice can get their tiny claws/toes ripped out when a screen aquariun lid is used). Her main diet was freshparakeet seeds (a fresh tablespoon a day), and sprouted and well rinsed parakeet seeds (1/2 to 1 teaspoon a day) Sprouting seeds shows you if the seeds are fresh or too dried on the insides to have any food value (animals and birds that eat dried out seeds will end up slowly starving to death and you won't know why). Treats were a sunflower seed, 1/2 of a raw peanut, a pea sized piece of cooked sweet potato, or a pea sized piece of apple (2 pieces of any of these treat foods, in these serving sizes, are plenty per day - remember, fat mice have short lives). I kept a small pet mineral stone in her cage for her to lick, a small pieces of deer antler for her to gnaw on, pieces of small animal chew sticks for her to chew, and I used ferret cage sanitizer to clean the inside of her cage once a week (making sure to clean any sanitizer residue off the inside of the cage) also used it to sterilze my hands before and after holding her. I took her out of her cage to play, exercise, and explore ever evening for several hours (mice will develop arthritis and nerve disorders if kept in a cage constantly). She loved having her ears and chin gently stroked (after she calmed down from exploring) a sure sign she was ready to be put back in her cage. She lived to the ripe old age of 3 1/2 (almost 4) years (old for a mouse)and never once bit me. She was a sweetheart!
I have two male mice. I seperated them because I thought one of my mice was hurt the other. I had seen signs of aggression and when I felt scabs on my mouse Gus. So, I separated them. Gus kept getting scabs even after they were separated. I didn't think it was a parasite at first because my other mouse Bucky was fine (they were still sharing a cage only they were separated by a piece of wire mesh), I thought Gus must be overgrooming himself. He got so bad I had to take him to the vet. She said it was a parasite called Sarcoptic Mange or "scabies". The reason Bucky was never infected was because the scabies prefered the taste of Gus.
| Sponsored Links |
|---|
Don't see your favorite type of Mouse here?
Send us a a picture and/or description and we'll try to include it!
~ Submit it Here ~
[Home] [Newsfeed]
[Saltwater Aquariums]
[Reef Aquariums]
[Freshwater Aquariums]
[Cats][Pet Birds] [Small Animals] [Reptiles] [Cute Pets] [References] [Team] [Pet Links] [Pet Supplies] [Care Sheets] [About Animal-World] [Site Map][Privacy Policy] [Recommended Pet Books]
