The white mouse is an excellent decorative pet

In ancient times, mice were kept in monasteries and temples as sacred animals and were cultivated. A manifestation of this can be considered the fact that among many eastern peoples the first month of the calendar is named in her honor, although in some countries the mouse image was replaced with a rat one.

Some believed that these mammals could bring happiness. In Japan, there was a widespread belief that if you keep a white mouse in your home, it will rid the house of the attacks of its wild counterparts. In turn, astrologers in Ancient China used these rodents to make predictions.

But it was not only in the east that mice were cultured. Even if it was not whites, but brownies, they were revered in Ancient Greece. The image of a mouse was inextricably linked with the cult of Apollo, who was often depicted with a mouse sitting at his feet.

In some regions of Greece, Apollo was considered the patron saint of these rodents, and therefore they were kept in temples.

In other regions, he was considered a god who protected the homes of his admirers from the damage that these animals bring and from mouse invasions. There was even a myth about this.

Mass breeding of these animals began at the end of the 19th century, when the first batch of these rodents was imported to Europe for the purpose of scientific research. At the moment, they have become an indispensable resource for carrying out various experiments and the need for them does not fade over time.

Care and maintenance of mice at home

The house where decorative mice live can be a cage, an aquarium, or a transparent plastic box.
For a small number of animals, a dwelling measuring 25*45*22 cm is sufficient. The bottom of the terrarium is covered with sawdust from fruit trees or hygienic filling made from corn, paper, or straw. Decorative rodents need to change their bedding at least once a week, but preferably every 3 days. The top of the terrarium is covered with a lid with holes for oxygen. Several shelters are equipped inside the house, preferably at different heights. All types of mice are very active and run up to 40 km a day in their natural environment, so the terrarium should have a running wheel. You can supply water to rodents through a hanging drinking bowl or pour it into a small saucer.

A decorative mouse is an animal that easily gets cold and overheats. It is better to place the animal’s house away from the window, protect the cage from drafts and bright sunlight. The ideal temperature for these rodents is 20-22⁰С.

Content

In terms of keeping the mouse, it does not require thorough attention and the selection of special food. Plus, the cost of maintaining these pets is quite low .

This decorative rodent from the white mouse family is very easy to train. Once the mouse gets used to its owner, it will not hesitate to come to its owner's arms. When letting a mouse go for a walk from its cage, it is better to keep an eye on it with both eyes. Because if she hides somewhere, then finding her will be a difficult task.

Description of the satin mouse

The animals in question are famous for their beautiful fur color, its shine and silky soft texture to the touch. All sorts of shades - from solid to spotted. A recessive gene is responsible for the satin tint of the hairs, so for breeding, two parents of the species are taken, who are its carrier. Siamese mice of this breed with dark spots on their bodies have become very popular.

Appearance

In appearance, satins resemble ordinary mice. The muzzle is elongated, the eyes are black, and the ears are large and round. The light whiskers are straight and long, the paws are bare with light pink skin. Coat color - from classic white and black to various cream, golden, gray, brown shades. They can be plain or spotted.

Learn about the breeds and care of gerbil mice.

Main characteristics

This breed of rodent is characterized by the following biological characteristics:

• body length 7.5–10 cm;
• weight 12–28 g;
• the tail is bare without hairs, elongated, wide at the base and gradually tapers towards the tip (there are tailless representatives of the species);
• the hind legs are five-toed, the front legs are four-toed;
• ears with hairline, translucent, large, widely spaced;
• life expectancy 2-3 years.

Incisors are constantly growing and need periodic grinding. There are different types of satin mice: satin, rex and others. Belonging to the breed is determined by the fur on the belly, especially in black individuals.

Important! Satins have weak immunity and are predisposed to tumors and viral diseases.

Behavior

By nature, satins are cute, playful, friendly and inquisitive rodents that are easy to train and quickly tamed. Calm and balanced pets easily interact with people and other animals, even cats.

The greatest activity is observed at night and in the morning. During the day they like to rest in secluded corners of the cage. They recognize the owner by smell and voice, and have high intelligence. The animal cannot sleep or remain awake for a long time. The period of activity is observed 15–20 times a day and lasts from 25 minutes to 1.5 hours.

Did you know? The word “mouse” comes from the ancient Indo-European “mush”, which means “thief”.

General characteristics of mouse representatives

The mouse family is diverse. Mice are omnivores and herbivores. Some were bred artificially so that they could be kept as pets. Habitat: all continents. The only place on the planet where mice are not found is Antarctica and mountain slopes.

Distinctive features of the appearance of mice are:

• length up to 10 cm (rare species up to 12 cm);
• fur along the entire length of the body;
• triangular muzzle;
• The ears are round, large, sticking out in different directions.

It is impossible to confuse mice with other rodents, since their size is too small. The color of the animal is varied, and only albinos have red eyes. The rest of the breeds have small black eyes.

All types of mice are fertile. Throughout the year, a sexually mature female brings up to 8–10 litters. But life expectancy does not exceed 5 years. Each litter contains from 5 to 8 mice. The duration of gestation is 21 days.

Young mice are born blind, without fur. Over the course of 14–21 days, the pups become similar to adults, but smaller in size. Completely independent, they get their own food.

Interesting fact! Reproduction activity occurs in the summer due to a sufficient amount of food. In autumn the animal is less active. In winter, the female is able to give birth only once.

Are nasal drops safe during pregnancy?

Is it possible to use drops for a runny nose during pregnancy? There is a classification of rhinitis. Each type requires special treatment and an integrated approach. The reasons during the period of bearing a child are:

Viral diseases requiring immediate medical intervention. The risk of infection entering the baby’s body and amniotic fluid increases. The consequences of the pathology will be unfavorable.

• Hormonal imbalances cause vasomotor rhinitis. The cause is increased secretion of progesterone and estrogen, which provokes an imbalance of hormones, leading to a weakening of the body's defenses, thinning of the mucous membrane, swelling and hyperemia. The woman’s immune system ceases to resist pathogenic microflora. Its task is the physiologically correct formation of embryonic tissues and organs of the baby. Vasomotor (hormonal) rhinitis lasts several months. Hypoxia caused by its presence leads to a slowdown in fetal development and the formation of embryonic anomalies.
• Allergic manifestations with nasal discharge and swelling pose a serious problem for the immune system of the woman and the fetus. An allergist will identify the irritating factor after conducting a series of tests. Will select an effective nasal drug approved for use by the expectant mother.

With caution, doctors prescribe medications to women who have a tendency to increase blood pressure. The use of vasoconstrictor compounds leads to the development of a hypertensive crisis, which adversely affects the baby’s health.

Correctly selected nasal drops relieve symptoms and hypoxia. The treatment is effective and the risk of adverse effects is minimal.

Food and water

For mice, it’s easy to find a special mixture for rodents in the store; food for hamsters is also suitable. Pellets for mice are completely balanced, but it is a monotonous diet. When offered a mixture of grains and seeds, mice choose their favorite bits and leave the rest, resulting in an unbalanced diet.

Supplement your basic diet with a small amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, apples and carrots. Monitor for diarrhea, and if any food causes bowel problems, eliminate it. Sunflower seeds are a favorite treat for many mice, but they are fatty and it is not advisable to give them a lot.

As a treat, offer a piece of whole grain bread or cracker paired with a little peanut butter. A gravity bottle with a dispenser is preferred for drinking as it keeps the water clean. For food, use a shallow ceramic or porcelain food bowl as it is difficult to turn over and easy to clean.

Source

Features of behavior

Decorative mice are an ideal pet for those people who cannot spend a lot of time at home and pay a lot of attention to them. These rodents are completely unpretentious in care, that is, you don’t need to walk with them, there is no need for education and training, they don’t need a lot of space - they live perfectly within the confines of their own cage.

It is very interesting to watch them - each mouse has its own character and its own manner of behavior, which manifests itself in games and in interaction with a person or with relatives. Mice are quite active creatures. They love to play and also easily adapt to new conditions, such as moving to a different house or cage. Despite the fact that they are nocturnal, they are quiet and do not disturb anyone.

It is rare for mice to bite their owners, but this can happen due to fundamentally improper handling of the animal. If you are bitten, you must get vaccinated and change your behavior towards the mouse.

Size and character

In size, snow-white mice are not very different from their relatives. They weigh from 18 to 30 grams. The body length is up to 11 centimeters, the tail length is from 5 to 11 centimeters.

They are very active, climbing all the time. In addition, they are absolutely non-aggressive and easily find a common language with their relatives and owners.

If you want to get several of these mice at once, then there is no need to worry about their behavior and buy several cages. They get along peacefully, share food and resolve issues of dominance without the use of force. But they need to be placed in a cage together and preferably at an early age. If a newcomer is added to an already existing group that has been living together for a long time, the residents will definitely begin to pursue him, especially if it is a male. Such persecution often leads to the death of a stranger.

But one individual is also of interest for its habits: it easily makes contact, trusts its owner, happily runs towards an outstretched hand, waiting for the next dose of affection or food.

Don't forget that these rodents are good parents. After the birth of the cubs, not only the mother, but also the father takes care of them; together they build a nest and take care of the offspring, surpassing almost all domestic pets in their “family” nature.

What to feed a mouse

Ornamental mice feed mainly on grain mixtures, including seeds of herbaceous plants such as wheat, oats, peas, barley, cake, millet, sunflower seeds, and flax. Can be supplemented with nuts.

Oilseeds should be present in an amount of no more than twenty percent of the mixture in summer and thirty in winter, otherwise the risk of obesity is high. Too much legume seeds can also lead to obesity, although their presence in the diet is desirable. Mice can be pampered with berries, fruits, especially apples, dried fruits, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, beets and cucumbers. In addition to all of the above, feeding mice porridge is common. Oatmeal, rice and millet porridge are suitable

It is important that the porridge is cool and contains grains that have been previously cleared of impurities

It is vital for mice to have their incisors ground down from time to time. Small branches of trees and shrubs are well suited for this purpose, the main thing is that they contain bark. Almost all plants are suitable for this, except lilacs and conifers.

If preparing food yourself is difficult, then pet stores sell ready-made mixtures and other nutritional components for mice.

DECORATIVE MICE

White mice (albinos) are very sensitive to bright sunlight because their skin and eyes lack protective pigments.

Science and life // Illustrations

Mice are very playful creatures. They deftly climb ladders and perches. Trainable.

A mouse of this color is called chocolate.

Science and life // Illustrations

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Pet stores sell mice of various colors - white (albino) and colored. Why are these animals interesting and why are they kept in cages?

White mice are bred in laboratory conditions as experimental animals for medical and genetic experiments. They are domesticated descendants of the well-known house mouse.

Using laboratory mice, scientists study the influence of all kinds of factors and drugs on the body of a living creature: from weightlessness to new drugs. But astrologers in Ancient China many centuries ago used a white mouse for their predictions. The capture of a surprisingly colored mouse or rat was considered an important event. Therefore, the Chinese rulers ordered their chroniclers to enter into the chronicle reports of each meeting with such a miracle. Documentary evidence confirms that from 307 to 1641 only 30 albino mice were captured in China.

Interestingly, in Ancient Greece, respect for house mice was associated with the cult of Apollo. The Greeks dedicated certain types of animals to the gods of their pantheon. Apollo was depicted with a mouse sitting at his feet. In some areas of Greece, this god was considered the patron of not only the arts, but also mice, and therefore rodents were kept in temples. In other places in the country, Apollo was identified with the deity who protected the population from mouse invasion, and they even created a myth about it.

In Europe, white mice began to be bred approximately 130 years ago. Since then they have become an integral part of scientific work. In vivariums, fertile animals multiplied in huge numbers without any problems, sometimes producing mutants with an appearance even more unusual than that of albinos.

Breeders bred not only colorful mice, but also tailless, short-tailed, long-haired and even... naked. Long-haired mice are quite cute furry creatures. But the appearance of a hairless rodent evokes sympathy or hostility in people. Such animals are bred partly from the desire to create a sensation.

Most animal lovers prefer to keep not white, but more elegant colored mice in home and school zoo corners: black, dark and light brown, red, cream, silver (light gray), lilac and bluish-smoky gray, as well as piebald (white with various spots). Quite often there are mice with fur of a natural color: on the back it is from grayish-sandy to dark gray, on the abdomen it is whitish or grayish.

All this variety of laboratory mice differs significantly from their wild ancestors not only in appearance. Tailless and colored, long-haired and white domesticated mice have lost their original timidity and are easy to keep and breed. They require very little food and little space. In short, these are easy pets for the novice naturalist.

Mice never bite and quickly and easily get used to their owner. Unfortunately, these tiny creatures have an equally tiny intelligence and emit a strong, specific smell. The latter circumstance is a serious obstacle to keeping a group of such cute colorful animals in the living room. The mouse smell can be reduced to a minimum if one or three animals are kept on a thick layer of frequently replaced (at least three to four times a week) sawdust. By the way, females smell weaker than the stronger sex.

A home for mice can be an aquarium or a special container-terrarium made of organic glass with a lattice lid. Mice jump well in height, and a lid is required. It is better if it is made of thin metal wire rather than plastic, which rodents can damage over time. You can make a small cage for the animals with dimensions in length, width and height of 40 x 30-40 x 25-30 centimeters from a metal fur farming mesh, the cells of which do not exceed 10 * 10 millimeters. However, observing mice living in such a cage is less convenient than observing the inhabitants of a transparent cage. The cage is placed in a plastic or aluminum tray of sufficient size filled with sawdust. A 2-4 cm layer of bedding is also poured onto its lattice bottom: small wood shavings or large sawdust. For the nest, use a small box with a hole for entry or an old flower pot turned upside down with a broken edge. A small, clean glass jar will also work as a cover. The fact that it has transparent walls does not matter to mice.

Make sure that the environment inside the cage is as diverse as possible. Place there a bizarrely curved twig, a ladder, a perch, a stump of wood in the form of a stump and, of course, a running wheel, but not a plastic one. Mice, especially young ones, are very active and will gladly use all these simple devices for their vigorous and cheerful “physical exercise.”

Do not forget to regularly wash the aquarium or cage with hot water and laundry soap and change the bedding. Rinse nest boxes and climbing frames as needed. Dry everything thoroughly before placing the animals back into their home.

Place the cage in a place where mice cannot catch a cold. Small rodents are very sensitive to drafts, and a cold for them is certain death.

Mice are practically omnivores. In nature, living next to a person, they do not refuse sausage, cheese and lard, they eat cereals and other products (by the way, they do not eat paper, but only gnaw). Laboratory mice love millet, oats and wheat, unroasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds, white bread, dairy products, pieces of boiled meat and egg whites. Among the succulent foods they prefer are dandelion and cabbage leaves, slices of carrots, cucumbers and beets, green grass, and bread soaked in milk. Candies, chocolate, fatty and spicy foods should not be given to animals.

To prevent mice from overgrowing their incisor teeth, you need solid food: twigs of trees and shrubs (except lilac, which is poisonous to animals), white bread crackers, and pieces of white school chalk.

For food bowls, it is better to use durable ceramic or earthenware cups. And offer drinking water exclusively in dropper drinking bowls. Open bowls of water get dirty very quickly.

It is enough to feed the mice once a day. The daily norm is a teaspoon of grain per animal. You can't overfeed.

Leftover food and contaminated pieces must be removed from the cage in a timely manner.

If you decide to let the mouse run around the apartment, be very careful not to accidentally step on it or crush it under the door. Make sure that the animal does not get into any gap from which it is difficult to get out. The rodent's main place of residence should be a cage, and the place for walking should be the owner's palms or a table.

Mice are collectivists, so it is better to place two or more animals in a cage.

The question of gender only makes sense when one wants to breed mice. Two or three males or two or three females living in one cage get along well with each other. Moreover, those from the same brood, or those that were united together in adolescence, get along better. Letting a newcomer into an established mouse team is a risky business. Mature mice will attack an intruder and can chase him to death.

The sex of the animal is determined by the distance between the anal and urinary openings. In the male this distance is clearly visible, in the female it is very small.

Like all small rodents, mice are very fertile. Already on the 30-49th day of life, animals can give birth. Pregnancy lasts about 20 days. In each brood, the female brings 6-7 cubs. It can reproduce up to ten times a year.

Babies are born in a shelter house, where the mother mouse builds a nest from hay, paper and rags. The female touchingly cares for the newborns, protects them, feeds them, and cleans them. The father shows parental feelings towards the children if there are no other males in the cage.

Newborn mice should not be handled. The foreign smell will remain on their bodies, the worried mother will stop feeding them, and they will die. For the first two weeks, try not to disturb the female at all: do not change the bedding, exclude quickly perishable food from the diet.

Helpless, naked and blind mice grow and develop very quickly. At the age of one month, the babies leave the nest and become completely independent.

The lifespan of mice is very short: a rare animal lives up to three years. Most often, they do not reach old age due to the development of internal tumors.

Try to purchase only young animals for the zoo, otherwise you will have to experience the bitterness of loss too quickly.

What are rodents?

Of all mammals, the order of rodents is the most numerous. They live on almost all continents of our planet. They are absent only in Antarctica and on some oceanic islands.

Animals can differ from each other in every possible way in size, color, shape of the head and other parts of the body, as well as the thickness of the fur. The main common difference for all types of rodents is a pair of large long incisors at the bottom and top. These teeth grow throughout life, gradually grinding down on solid food. Another characteristic feature is diastema - the gap (in place of fangs) between the incisors and the remaining teeth.

Animals inhabit steppes and forests, mountainous areas, river valleys and deserts. They can lead an underground and semi-aquatic lifestyle, and some have even mastered the air (flying squirrels). Rodents feed mainly on plant foods, but some species eat insects, worms, small vertebrates and other animals.

Care

Caring for an unpretentious animal is not difficult, you just need to follow the rules of hygiene and feeding. However, these things should be taken seriously. Rodents, especially decorative ones, are susceptible to various kinds of diseases. Their diet should be balanced and the food fresh.

What to feed

Due to its physical characteristics, the rat is an omnivore: it happily eats meat and vegetable dishes, cereals and porridges.

To maintain the balance of minerals and vitamins in feeding, you need both boiled porridge and raw cereals:

• buckwheat;
• corn;
• rice;
• wheat;
• barley.

Sprouted grains, seeds, and nuts are welcome. Good digestion will be ensured by the consumption of fermented milk products, especially since rodents love them. The animals love and eat meat and fish, offal and boiled eggs. Vegetables and fruits are necessary as a source of vitamins and organic acids, but in moderation.

You cannot feed the following foods:

• chocolate;
• raw vegetables - cabbage, potatoes, spinach;
• sweets;
• spicy, salty, smoked, fried;
• alcohol;
• soda.

Important! There is no need to worry about the amount of food - rodents have a developed sense of fullness, and they never eat more than they need.

Hygiene and bathing

Proper care that will ensure a long and healthy life for your pet includes a clean home.

The cage requires daily cleaning:

• washing dishes;
• changing water (it should always be fresh);
• replacing the filler and cleaning the tray.

The cage should be washed with any disinfectant twice a week. Hygienic procedures are also necessary for the animal. It is not necessary to wash it yourself - just provide a container with soapy water, and the pet will wash itself. Rats naturally love water: they swim, dive and even hunt well there.

Rat breeders have many different opinions about trimming claws, pros and cons. If we think logically: in nature, an animal grinds its claws down almost every day - on stones and trees. But sitting at home in a cage or running around on the sofa, it is impossible to do this. To prevent claws from growing into the pads, causing pain to your pet, it is advisable to purchase miniature nippers or scissors. It is recommended to check with your veterinarian how often and how to carry out the procedure correctly.

Video: bathing rats

Possible diseases and their prevention

Domestic rodents do not come into contact with street animals that can carry infections and bacteria. Typically, tame animals have a well-developed immune system, so health problems can only be hereditary, or acquired as a result of errors in care.

Important! Each genotype has its own predisposition - for example, megacolon (an abnormality of the large intestine) is hereditary in Blazes.

Factors provoking diseases:

• improper diet;
• poor quality products;
• lack of hygiene (personal and indoor);
• drafts, cold or heat, high humidity.

These errors in caring for your pet can cause the following diseases:

• Teaser's disease (an acute infection characteristic of rodents);
• pseudotuberculosis;
• pneumonia;
• pituitary tumor;
• tail necrosis;
• pneumococcosis.

Rarely, mycoplasma infections occur as a result of the spread of the pathogen in the sales environment or in the breeder. Therefore, a newly acquired animal needs to be quarantined for some time. Within 7–10 days, you need to observe your behavior and health status.

Also read about why your pet rat itches.

Among the preventive measures:

• purchasing an animal from trusted breeders;
• a well-designed diet that excludes prohibited foods;
• kept in a dry, moderately warm place, without drafts;
• exclusion of stressful situations.

At the first examination, you can get competent advice from a rodentologist on the conditions of keeping the rodent. Vaccination will help eliminate health problems. The specialist will select a vaccine against diseases needed according to the animal’s belonging to a particular species.

How to train and play with your pet

It is not difficult to train a rat: from the first days of communication, it recognizes its owner and willingly makes contact. Playing with a candy wrapper on a string or climbing a rope - in general, everything that requires movement gives her pleasure. During such fun, the rodent learns to trust the owner and remembers repeated gestures or sounds.

Video: how to train a rat

A smart baby quickly remembers his name and responds to it. The animal easily masters commands: bring an object, jump over an obstacle and many other tricks. The main thing is to focus on a certain action, for example, then give out a treat.

Did you know? During research, scientists from the Chinese University of Hong Kong discovered a gene in rats that protects the body from sexually transmitted diseases.

What else can you supplement your diet with?

To prevent decorative mice from having problems with teeth grinding down, in addition to the main food, it is advisable for them to occasionally gnaw on pieces of spruce and pine needles, as well as tree branches:

• aspen;
• hazel;
• apple trees;
• and you;
• rowan.

The branches should be young and juicy, with high nutritional and taste properties.

It is advisable to supplement the diet of ornamental rodents with the following products:

• boiled meat (including well-processed spongy bones and cartilage);
• egg powder (or crushed boiled eggshells);
• milk and dairy products;
• cheese (in limited quantities);
• fresh lard;
• mineral additives (chalk, salt);
• fish oil;
• yeast;
• nuts (except peanuts).

Interesting Facts

Most people consider mice to be primitive creatures.

But the interesting facts about mice, which are given below, refute this opinion:

• Mice reach sexual maturity in the second or third month of life. This is due to the fact that rodents have a large number of natural enemies; early sexual maturity contributes to rapid population growth.
• The smallest representatives of the mouse subfamily are called baby mice. The body weight of a newborn individual is only one gram.
• A common misconception that is fundamentally wrong is that mice love cheese. Rodents may only consider cheese as food if there are no other options. When there is food abundance, animals will choose sweets and fruits.
• The genetic makeup of members of the mouse family is eighty percent identical to that of humans.
• Mice have acute hearing, which allows them to detect danger in a timely manner.
• Scientists purposefully bred two types of mice for laboratory research: white and colored. These varieties do not require certain maintenance conditions, are unpretentious, and have a wide diet, which makes them easier to care for.
• Bats are recognized as the only mammal species with the ability to fly.
• Mice have a high level of intelligence. People who keep these cute rodents at home often note that their pets can learn simple tricks and respond to their nickname.
• Residents of Asian countries believe that the absence of mice at home is a dangerous sign interpreting the approach of trouble.

When choosing a mouse for home keeping, you need to remember that the rodent also needs attention, care, and affection.

Varieties

There are different breeds of decorative mice. These include:

Micromys minutus (translated as “little mouse”) is the smallest mammal in Europe. The size of this rodent reaches 13 centimeters, and the tail and body are approximately the same length. The color of the back - from red to brown - is clearly distinguished from the color of the abdomen - white or light gray. They have a very mobile and grasping tail. The muzzle of these rodents, unlike their relatives, is shortened.

Gerbils. The second most popular breed, after baby mice. They are very similar to chipmunks because they have a body large enough for mice and a short drooping tail.

Spiny rodents. These mice look a little like hedgehogs. This is all because of their fur - it is shaped like needles. This breed is difficult to confuse with others, mainly because of the coat, but not only because of it. These mice also have very unusual ears and large black shiny eyes that look like beads.

How are mice different from other rodents?

If we conduct a detailed description of mice, it is important to note that they have excellent hearing, allowing them to pick up sounds of various tones. To do this, they use ears that are rounded in shape.

On the small pointed muzzle you can notice the presence of antennae called vibrissae. Thanks to this important organ, mice are able to navigate perfectly, even in the dark. However, they do not have pouches behind their cheeks.

Most species of mice do not like to climb trees, however, they easily move on the basis of grass stems growing in meadows. And also for this they use reeds or small branches of bushes.

Among them, the smallest individual was identified; it was named “baby”, since it has a body size of only 5 cm.

Kinds

The mouse subfamily includes about three hundred species, each of which is characterized by external and behavioral features. Despite significant differences, most species have a number of similar characteristics.

Types of mice, typical features, and brief characteristics of the species are given below.

African mice

Unlike most of their relatives, African mice, whose homeland is called Tunisia, are not synanthropic species and are practically not tamed.

The body length of such a mouse is no more than twelve centimeters. The color is interesting: light brown or sandy fur has several dark longitudinal stripes. Rodents do not have a pleasant odor, which sets them apart from representatives of most other species.

The typical habitat of African rodents are burrows dug in the sand or nests made in dry grass. Their food is cereals, fruits, insects, and larvae.

The natural lifespan is about four years, but in the wild rodents can live no more than a year, due to the large number of natural enemies.

Grass mice

Grass mice live on the African continent. The body size of representatives of this species ranges from ten to seventeen centimeters.

Rodents prefer to settle in humid environments, for example, along the banks of rivers and lakes. Grass mice can build houses on their own, using dry grass, fluff, and also occupy other people's homes.

Lesnaya

A distinctive feature of wood mice is a small spot on the chest that has a yellowish tint.

These rodents are common in areas with temperate climates. Rotten stumps, dry grass, tree roots, and other voids of natural origin can serve as housing for them. Wood mice feed on cereals, insects, and berries.

Yellow-throated mouse

The yellow-necked mouse is classified as a poorly studied species listed in the Red Book.

The decline in the population of this species is due to the specific habitat; these tiny rodents, whose body length is no more than ten centimeters, live exclusively in deciduous forests.

Gerbil

The gerbil mouse fully lives up to its name, as it lives in hot deserts, semi-deserts, and steppes.

This breed of mice is distinguished by the presence of a long fluffy tail, which tends to fall off when in danger. A new one does not grow back. The diet of gerbils consists of cereals, insects, seeds, fruits, and nuts.

Gerbils can jump long distances and move on their hind legs. These rodents lead an active lifestyle during the daytime. In winter they do not hibernate, but become lethargic and inactive.

Gerbils are light brown in color, with the fur on their bellies being several shades lighter.

Harvest mouse

The field mouse lives in areas with temperate climatic conditions. The shades of the rodent's fur can vary from light brown to black; there is a longitudinal contrasting stripe on the back.

The body size of the animal is no more than ten centimeters. Mice of this species can live in urban areas. Their food sources are cereals, invertebrates, insects, fruits, and nuts.

House mouse

House mice are called synanthropic species of rodents that live close to human habitation, feed on food supplies, and prefer to spend the winter in houses and apartments.

The size of the rodent varies from eight to five centimeters. They are unpretentious to external conditions and nutrition. Life expectancy is about two years, but in good conditions the rodent can live up to four years.

Shrew

The shrew is a type of mouse that digs and also has a long, thin nose. The coat color of these animals is uniform and can vary from gray to black.

Shrews feel especially good near natural bodies of water.

Cell

The size of the cage depends on how many mice you will keep together. For a pair or small group of females, a 60 cm square cage is sufficient. Mice will appreciate a cage with several levels, as they love to climb.

Glass aquariums and wire cages are the best cage options for mice. The aquarium will have to be covered on top with a tight-fitting mesh lid and filled with devices for games and climbing.

Wire cages with horizontal bars are great because they provide plenty of climbing options and are easier to attach furniture, platforms and toys to.

Make sure the bars are not too wide, otherwise mice can escape (or get stuck trying to escape), and the door allows easy access to the entire cage. Avoid using cages with wire mesh bottoms—hard bottoms are better for their paws.

Modular plastic cages designed for hamsters are suitable for mice and their activity levels, but they are difficult to clean, sometimes poorly ventilated, and the mouse can chew through the plastic.

Place the cage so that it is constantly in your field of vision. Avoid exposure to drafts, direct sunlight and access to other pets.

Mice need to play and move a lot. They all love to spin the wheel, so add that and extra tunnels made from plastic sections of water pipes or cardboard. Your mice will appreciate the following toys:

Wooden blocks and houses Small cardboard boxes Ladders Cotton rope Egg cartons (paper only) Small willow balls

Depending on the size of the cage, it should be cleaned regularly, especially if it is made of glass or plastic. It is best not to wait until the unpleasant odor appears, because by then it will be quite unpleasant for your pets.

On the other hand, mice mark their territory, and with frequent disinfection, the cages will become upset. You can leave some old shavings or debris to leave the smell behind, and only do a thorough cleaning and disinfection if absolutely necessary.

Bathing rules

Rats should be bathed in warm water. This is best done using shampoo. Sometimes a small brush can be used as a washcloth. Rat claws are often trimmed before or after bathing.

It is imperative to bathe the rat if it is smeared with something. It’s not so scary if it’s food, but if it’s something inedible, then while cleaning itself, the rat can simply get poisoned. Sometimes it is enough to simply wash the rat's paws and tail. Bathing is also recommended if the rat smells bad. Most often this is due to untimely cleaning of the cage.

Pet rats are quite shy, so bathing can be stressful for them. It is best to lower the rat into a container and pour water into it so that it can stand with its paws on the bottom. First you need to wet the rodent's fur, and then apply shampoo. Baby shampoo is quite suitable for bathing. You need to make sure that the product does not get into your eyes and ears.

It is necessary to dry the rodent by wrapping it in several towels

If a pet lives with other rodents, then it must be introduced into the cage carefully, since a different smell may cause rejection of its fellows. If the rat is healthy, then you need to bathe it once a month (if it is a female), or combine this with wet wipes (if it is a male)

How to care for a mouse?

Take a look at a group of house mice playing and you'll see that they can be quite interesting pets. They are a little shy and more difficult to control than larger rodents, but they can become tame and learn to take food from your hands. Especially if you start caring from a young age.

Mice make great small pets that are fun to watch and easy to care for.

Common Name : mouse, house mouse

Scientific name : Mus musculus

Adult sizes : 12 to 17 cm (including tail length), up to 60 grams of weight

Life expectancy : from 1.5 to 3 years

Difficulty of care : For beginners, as mice are easy to care for, suitable for children and adults

Types of mice

The mouse family is very large. Scientists count 4 subfamilies and 147 genera. And there are even more species - 701. But the most common are those species that have coexisted with humans for thousands of years. These include:

• Field mouse or vole. This rodent is medium in size by mouse standards. The length of its body can reach 12.5 cm. The fur on the back of the rodent is predominantly gray. In some individuals it may have a slight yellowish-brown tint and a dark longitudinal stripe. The fur on the belly is also gray, but of a lighter shade. Voles live in meadows, bushes, gardens and parks. They live in burrows and bushes. In the latter case, they independently build nests between the branches. The diet of voles includes berries, grains, green parts of plants and insects. People have been trying for a long time and unsuccessfully to reduce the number of this species of mice.
• Yellow-throated mouse. The coat of this rodent on the back is reddish-gray in color, and on the abdomen and neck it has a yellowish tint. The body length does not exceed 13 cm. Moreover, the length of the tail is almost equal to the length of the body. This mouse weighs approximately 50 g. The yellow-throated mouse prefers to settle in rocky areas, on the edges of forests and in burrows. They are able to feed on both plants and bugs and worms. If necessary, they can eat meat. These rodents pose a serious threat to fruit tree orchards.
• Grass mouse. This is a very large rodent by mouse standards. The length of its body can reach 19 cm. Add here the length of the tail and you get a total length of 35 cm. Individual representatives of grass mice can weigh up to 100 g. The fur on their back is dark gray. It is not uniform, but has interspersed individual stiff and darker bristles. The fur on the belly is uniform and has a light gray tint. This rodent is most common in African countries. It feeds mainly on plants and grains.
• Tiny mouse. These are one of the smallest representatives of the mouse kingdom. The body length of an adult does not exceed 7 cm. Such a baby weighs no more than 10 g. The fur on its sides and back is reddish-brown, and on its tummy it is almost white. Unlike larger mice, the little mouse's muzzle is short and blunt. The ears are small and almost round. You can meet this animal in forests, steppes and meadows. This rodent loves to settle in haystacks and dig holes near human habitation, because food can always be found there. The diet of baby mice is based on cereals and small insects. People consider these rodents to be one of the main pests in agriculture.
• House mouse. Without exaggeration, this type of rodent can be called the most widespread on our planet. The body of an adult can reach a length of 9.5 cm. The weight does not exceed 30 g. The fur on the sides and back is gray. On the belly, its color can range from light gray to white. The rodent's muzzle is pointed. This type of mouse can be found in almost all human outbuildings. Rodents chew everything they can get their hands on.
• Striped mouse. This rodent has an average body size of 10 cm. The fur is predominantly gray. May have stripes of lighter shades. This type of rodent is often kept as pets. Moreover, in natural conditions they live no longer than 7 months, and in captivity their life span increases several times. This rodent prefers to eat grass and small insects.
• Spiny mouse. This rodent is found quite often. You can recognize him by his huge eyes and ears like mugs. Instead of the usual fur, very small needles grow on the sides and back of this mouse. This rodent has amazing regeneration abilities and uses them in encounters with enemies: it sheds part of its skin and runs away. Such animals are often kept at home as pets.

White mouse: appearance of the species

The white mouse is a direct descendant of common house mice. As a species, it appeared about 3,500 thousand years ago. Now this is one of the most common types of rodents. They live everywhere except in permafrost regions and highlands.

The white mouse is a popular pet

For your information! Closest relatives are jerboas, hamsters, chinchillas

The white mouse was initially considered a noble and unusual animal due to its non-standard color. She was kept in houses and temples in China and Japan, as well as in Mediterranean countries. There, the image of a white mouse was sacred: it was not just bred for aesthetic pleasure, but was even worshiped. The adaptability and cleanliness of the animal, as well as the ability to be friendly towards representatives of its species, were noted.

Keeping animals began more than 1.5 centuries ago. ago, after their mass import to Europe for experimental research.

For more than a century, white mice have been used as experimental animals.

How mice behave in their natural environment

In order for rodents to maintain a constant body temperature, they need to be active in winter and summer, day and night. Gluttony and fussiness for mice are characteristic traits that help them survive and leave offspring.

In the fall, animals begin collecting provisions in a burrow or on the surface of the ground, where the “warehouse” is camouflaged with earth. And if in the off-season rodents are awake at night and sleep during the day, then in winter they remain active around the clock. In spring and autumn, when there is no shortage of food and no temperature fluctuations, mice actively reproduce.

Mice live in large families, since together it is easier for them to defend themselves, get food, build homes, and raise offspring. In a mouse pack there is a leader who maintains order in the group. Female mice are peaceful. But young males do not always put up with their subordinate position. Stomping with its hind legs and aggressive tail strikes indicate the animal’s intention to conquer the “throne.” Inter-family clashes can lead to the disintegration of the pack.

Mouse behavior and temperament

Mice are nocturnal and very social, so it is best to keep them in groups. Ideally, get a couple of females. If the cage size allows, you can create a larger group.

Pairs of males should be avoided unless they are related. Unfamiliar males are more likely to fight. If you have a male and a female, then soon you will have to care for their offspring.

Most mice become tame over time, be patient and maybe treat them with treats. Give the mice time to get used to their new environment. Once the mice have calmed down, spend more time near their cage and talk to them quietly to get them used to your voice.

Gradually they will get used to your hands and will not be afraid to sit on them.

When you try to pick up the mouse, try to “scoop” it by cupping your hand underneath it, but do not squeeze or grab your pet's body. If you come across a mouse with a temper, try holding the base of its tail with one hand so that it does not jump off and hurt itself.

If you are going to let her go for a walk outside the cage, do it in such a way that you don’t have to look for something missing later.