Polski
The domesticated mouse is derived from the house mouse (Mus musculus). Mice originated in Asia, but thanks to humans, they've traveled the world and reached every corner of the globe. The bond between humans and mice goes back a long way, as these clever creatures were kept as pets even before the Common Era.
Head-body length : 6.5 to 9.5 cm
Body weight: 20 to 40 g
Life expectancy : 2 to 3 years
Mice are active and curious animals that quickly become tame and accustomed to their caregivers. They are social animals and should be kept together. Thanks to their long tails, they are also good climbers and can maintain their balance well. This also helps them walk easily over your hand, and because they have depth perception, they will also stay on your hand.
In Western Europe, the mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) can be found in buildings year-round. In Eastern Europe, however, it can also be found in fields.
Mice live in small groups
A group of several females can usually be kept without any problems
Keep 1 neutered male with 1 or 3 - 4 females. Unneutered males should not be kept together (they fight for hierarchy).
Tame and familiarize yourself with the Mouse
Always do your research before deciding to get mice. They make great pets that are often awake, allowing you to see them during the day. This can be especially fun for children. Mice are very friendly and curious. They can be timid and quick at first. Once a mouse is on your hand, it can balance well thanks to its long tail, and they nimbly move from one hand to the other or between your fingers. This makes them easier to handle than, for example, gerbils or hamsters.
New pets should be approached calmly, especially at first. The animals need to become familiar with their own habitat and feel safe there before they dare to approach people. Of course, some daredevils will immediately approach you and be sociable, but most mice are a bit shy at first. Give the animals time and try to gently establish contact by talking to them. Giving them treats from their hand is often a good way to gain their trust.
Tip! Mice love millet sprays!
Housing the Colored Mouse
Mice are social animals that need to be kept together. In the wild, they live in colonies, often with one dominant male. The best combination is a group of females; males quickly start fighting over hierarchy. It's important that the animals are paired at a young age. Newcomers aren't easily accepted at an older age.
Mice need a spacious enclosure of at least 75 x 40 x 40 cm for two animals. Each additional animal requires 20% additional floor space. A good enclosure allows the animals to express their natural behavior. In the wild, mice are very active, and they want to maintain this activity in captivity; they don't want to be bored. Mice need a spacious enclosure with plenty of play and climbing opportunities. Thanks to their long tails, mice can balance very well, making them excellent climbers.
Hamsterscaping is also great fun for Coloured Mice!
In our home, a good mouse habitat translates to a spacious enclosure with plenty of challenges and plenty of hiding places. A terrarium is the best choice for this, thanks to its enclosed nature. However, it's important that a terrarium allows for good ventilation, so preferably with two vents (top and bottom). This is especially important in summer when temperatures rise above 25°C.
Don't give mice a sandbox. Sand is too dusty for their sensitive respiratory tracts.
Mice do not tolerate high temperatures combined with high humidity well. An optimal humidity level for mice is around 55% on average. A temperature between 20-24°C is recommended, and a humidity between 40-60%. You can use a hygrometer to measure these values.
House for a Mouse
Mice are in luck! Many hamster houses are also a good size for mice. Mice are prey animals and don't like to roam freely in their enclosures. If they occasionally find a hiding place they can escape into, they'll feel much safer. Mice like to sleep together, so at least one house in the enclosure should be large enough to accommodate the entire group. In addition, one extra sleeping house or hiding spot per mouse is ideal. While mice enjoy sleeping together, they also need a place to retreat to.
Grass houses are also very natural for mice and the animals really like it because they imitate a natural hiding place.
Mouse urine, like rat urine, has a stronger odor. These animals mark their territory by leaving a drop of urine everywhere. This means that parts of the mouse enclosure can quickly become odorous. We therefore recommend using a " Urine Spray" for areas where urine can soak in.
For wooden accessories, it can be helpful to varnish them with clear varnish. However, varnish from hardware stores is not permitted due to toxic substances. A special varnish for animals is best.
Ground cover for mice
It's important that the substrate is diggable for mice , meaning they can create tunnels and burrows in it, which they prefer to leave intact. This can be achieved by choosing substrate that is already diggable or by mixing substrates to make them diggable. Examples of diggable substrates include humus and burrowing sand , as well as cotton and cotton . A good mix is a mix of cotton and hemp fiber , cotton and wood fiber, or a mix of wood fiber , hemp fiber, and hay. Substrates like Back 2 Nature are not suitable because the animals cannot dig in them. An ideal depth of the substrate for digging is around 20 cm.
Mice, like rats, have sensitive respiratory tracts, so the substrate should not be dusty.
Mice are nest builders
Mice are excellent nest builders. They also like to line their nests with soft nesting material . Nest building is therefore a natural behavior for mice. Therefore, always provide mice with 15-25 grams of nesting material. Mice's nesting material should be soft, absorbent, and have brittle fibers to prevent them from getting tangled. Materials like cotton, hemp, toilet paper, and hay are ideal.
Mouse food
Mice are granivores (seed eaters). Their diet consists primarily of seeds and a small amount of plant matter such as herbs , as well as animal protein. In the wild, mice catch small insects, so it's beneficial if their diet also contains animal protein.
The mouse's stomach is simple and the cecum and colon are not particularly well developed, which is consistent with animals that in the wild eat mainly low-fiber foods such as seeds.
An optimal diet for mice looks like this:
Crude protein: 12.5-18%
Crude fat: 4-5%
Crude fiber: 6-9%
Calcium : 0.4 - 0.7% - with excess phosphorus there is a risk of kidney calcification 0.3-0.4% (Ca-F ratio: 1-1.5
The percentage of crude fiber in the diet should be a maximum of 10% for optimal digestibility and absorption of the diet.
Gnawing material to wear down the teeth
Mice have a natural urge to gnaw. This is because mice are rodents and have continuously growing incisors. Therefore, mice need something to gnaw on to wear down their teeth. If mice don't have enough opportunities to wear down their teeth, they can become overlong or crooked, with all the consequences that entails.
Rodents use gnawing wood to wear down their teeth. Because rodents' teeth grow continuously, they need to be gnawed regularly to prevent them from growing too long and crooked.
Most mice actively gnaw on gnawing wood. However, it's a matter of taste and, on the other hand, a matter of need. If a mouse doesn't have a need to gnaw because its teeth stay long thanks to food, hay, or other gnawing materials, it will gnaw on gnawing wood less. It's a good idea to always offer natural gnawing wood so the animals can gnaw whenever they feel the need.
Dental problems in mice
If you notice your mouse eagerly trying to grab food but then not eating it, there might be a problem with its teeth. Drooling can also indicate dental problems. If you suspect dental problems, it's best to contact your veterinarian.
Reproduction of the Colored Mouse
Mice are social animals; the entire group participates in raising the young. The parents care for the young until they become independent around the 18th day.
The female is in heat and ready to mate every 4-9 days. This lasts about 12-24 hours. If a successful mating occurs on these days, the young are born after about 24 days.
The difference between males and females can be seen in the distance between the genital opening and the anus. In males, this distance is greater than in females.
Sexually mature : females after 4 - 5 weeks
Breeding ready : females 12 weeks
Number of litters : 3-4 per year
Litter size : 2 - 14
Gestation period : 21 days
Birth weight : 1.5 - 2 g, nestlings
Weaning time : from week 3
Color Mouse Health
The most common health problems are tumors, obesity, and dental problems. Furthermore, mice have sensitive respiratory tracts and are susceptible to cold and respiratory infections. A draft-free environment is therefore very important.
We recommend regularly checking your pet's teeth to detect any dental problems early. A well-balanced and complete gerbil diet is essential to prevent digestive problems.
Preventative treatment with parasite preventative measures is not necessary. Supplemental vitamin supplements are not necessary with a complete hamster diet.
It is advisable to consult a veterinarian if the following symptoms occur:
Dental problems
Drooling, runny nose and eyes, protruding teeth, not eating, losing weight, eating foreign materials that are softer than food.
Skin
Bald spots, lots of scratching, scabs, wounds, bumps and lumps
Other
Wet and dirty bottom, drinking a lot, falling over, listlessness, different shape and color of the droppings
For extensive information on rodent care, see LICG
