Pet Fancy Mouse
Mice can be among the most charming of pets. They have the advantages of taking up little space, being inexpensive to feed and easy to handle. A pet mouse can live for up to two years if properly cared for. They are nocturnal by nature and will be most active in the middle of the night.
Pet Calico Mouse
Fancy Mice
(I believe they are still listed as Mus musculus, although they’ve been bred in captivity so long they really should be classed separate from their wild ancestors)
Mice for Pets
Description
Typically 13 to 20 cm long, but selective breeding has produced some smaller mice, as well as big, beautiful “English” mice. The ideal mouse should be long and somewhat racy, but show strong bone structure, with a well arched loin. English type mice generally have greater size, ears and tail length.
Diet
They should be maintained on a diet of lab blocks, and rat or mouse mix, with bits of fruit or veggies regularly. Cheerios or wheat bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed chocolate, fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may enjoy crickets and mealworms as treats, but never too many. Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and added calcium during nursing and growth due to demands on their systems at those times, but take care not to overdo it. Water bottles should be used to proved constant, clean water. Ceramic or stoneware food dishes work well for keeping seeds or fresh foods off the floor, and a wire mesh hopper that allows the mice to eat the lab blocks through without them falling is also a good idea.
Habitat
Mice are very social, and should be kept in pairs or groups. Same sex pairs are better, as you will not have a plethora of babies to find homes for every month. A ten gallon tank will house a pair very comfortably, but should have some added play things, such as a wheel, tunnel, house or other objects. Bedding should be aspen, paper based, or hay. Try to avoid using cedar or pine.
Special needs
Similar to rats, but they don’t seem to require quite as much attention. They do however need to have their cages cleaned out more regularly as they tend to smell a bit more then rats do. Mice are small animals that are easily scared by sudden movements and loud noises, though they will become accustomed to being held if you always remember to be gentle and quiet around them. Two mice will keep each other company, but make quite sure they are not a male and female to avoid unwanted babies. Many people prefer to keep females as pets due to their less noticeable odor. Until your mouse is used to being picked up try using a paper cup to scoop her up and release her onto your hand. Small children should be supervised when handling the mouse and reminded not squeeze too tightly! If you have other pets, watch them carefully when your mouse is out of the cage and never leave them alone in the same room. Accidents happen!
Personality
Attitude – Friendly, alert, curious Tam-ability – Excellent Trainability – Good Activity level – Fair to High Vocal – If frightened they might squeak or grind their teeth, sometimes squeak at play Minimum owner’s age – 6 (if supervised by an adult), 8 would be better.
Reproduction
Lifespan – 1 1/2 – 2 years Maturity 4 weeks Sexual maturity 2-3 months (may breed earlier, but should be avoided) Receptive – 2-3 day cycle, and post birth Gestation 18-21 days Infants show color pigment at 4-6 days Infants can be handled within 2 weeks of birth Infant eyes open at 16 days Ready to wean at 4weeks
Mutations
Many, many colors and patterns have been discovered, and even more pop up frequently. Fancy mice have even had coat and body mutations that have been accepted by mouse clubs, including Hairless, Satin (silky coat), Long hair, and Frizzie (curly coat).
Pet Status Very common, although it is sadly more accepted as reptile food then as a pets. A point of view that many fanciers would like to see changed.
