Mice are easy to care for and need not take up a lot of space. Watching the antics of mice in a well laid out enclosure provides great entertainment for everyone. With gentle handling, mice become very friendly and respond well to their keepers.
Some interesting mouse facts:
• Pet mice are available in over 500 combinations of colours and coat types.
• There are more species of rodents than any other mammalian order.
• The first mouse club, which began exhibiting mice, was established in London in 1895. The ‘National Mouse Club’ continues today, with an international membership.
HOUSING
A wide range of mouse houses are available, but avoid the very small ones often seen for sale as they just don't have enough space for a curious mouse! A minimum size is about 30cm x 30cm floorspace and nothing is too large. Ease of cleaning is paramount when choosing a cage, plastic or glass construction is preferable to wood which will retain odours.
DIET
Daily feeding of a good quality mouse mix forms the basis for the diet. Green food such as dandelion leaves and puha as well as seed heads are also appreciated. A cuttlefish or other ‘gnaw block’ will prevent overgrown teeth.
Like all rodents, the upper and lower incisor teeth of mice continue to grow throughout life.
SOCIAL LIFE
Mice are social creatures and if breeding is not intended, a small group of females is best. Although males cannot be housed together due to fighting, they are slightly easier to tame than females, and are a good option if a single mouse is to be kept.
BREEDING
Breeding occurs year round, with litters of 4-10 produced after a gestation of twenty days.
MAINTENANCE
Clean your mouse enclosure 2-3 times per week to eliminate odours. The use of cedar wood shavings and a sprinkling of zeolite chips will also keep your mouse house smelling sweet.
HANDLING
Mice are somewhat fragile due to their small size. Clearly explain to children that ‘squeezing’ their pet is likely to result in a fatal injury. Mice can be picked up at the base (ie body end) of the tail and transferred to cupped hands. Careful and frequent handling, soon results in a very tame and well adjusted mouse.
Cedar chips as a substrate naturally repels parasites.
LONGEVITY
Pet mice live an average of two years.
Do not let mice go outside - they are a pest species in NZ and unwanted animals should be rehomed in the first instance or humanely destroyed by a vet as a last resort. Males and females kept together will result in literally hundreds of offspring so breeding is not advised unless homes have been arranged prior. |
