Pet Punter

Posts Tagged ‘mice’

Several different species of mouse are being bred by enthusiasts, of which the best known are probably spiny mice. Originating from parts of North Africa  and the middle east, these mice have unusual spiky fur, as their name suggests. Ideal housing from a spiny mouse would be a converted aquarium which a ventilated hood. Because of their small size, they may find a cage too spacious to make them feel secure. Care needs to be taken when handling these mice as their tails are easily injured. Damage to the tail can also result if the mice are housed in overcrowded accommodation, even if it is only for a relatively short time.

The breeding habits of spiny mice are unusual for small mammal. they have a long pregnancy, lasting around 38 days, and usually only give birth to two or three pups in one litter. The young are active almost from birth and are covered in grey fur at this stage. In addiction to seeds and green stuff, spiny mice will also eat mealworms.

When it comes to choosing between a mouse or a rat as a pet, it is worth bearing in mind that rats are significantly larger, averaging at least consequently 25 cm in length and will need more spacious accommodation. Mice typically measure around 15 cm overall, including their tail. Rats have a significantly longer lifespan than mice, living on average for five years or more, while mice have a lifespan of three years. Rats are also more likely to become tamer and are more amenable to handling. The strong odor of both rats and mice can be problem in the home environment, although females tend to produce a less pungent urine than males and may make a more suitable pet.

While rats are kept on their own, mice can be housed comfortably in single sex pairs or even trios. It is important to buy mice and rats when they are young so that they accept being handles. They are then far less likely to inflict a painful bite when picked up. They are nocturnal by instinct, but they will usually be active during the day as well. Ensure that the fur looks sleek when you buy – if it is not, it could be a sign of ill-health.

You can feed your rodent a seed-based diet, which contains cereals such as wheat and flaked maize or, preferably a pelleted diet, which contains all the necessary ingredients to keep rats and mice in good health. If you are not feeding your rodent a pre-formulated diet you may need to use a supplement to compensate for any nutritional deficiencies. Sprinkle the supplement over the rodent’s favorite tidbits. When it comes to fresh food, it is best to offer it in small amounts on a regular basis. Although it will not contribute greatly to the protein intake, it will provide valuable vitamins and minerals. Large amounts of fresh food eaten at one time can trigger digestive upsets.

Avoid using mixes that contain significant proportions of oil seeds, such as sunflower or peanuts. These are not recommended for rats and mice on a long-term basis as they are likely to provide skin irritations. There is no harm in offering another treats, such as small subes of cheddar cheese and raisins. The occasional sunflower seed or nut can be used when taming your rodent to feed from the hand. Attempts to hand-feed could lead to bitten fingers. A water bottle that attaches to the rodent’s quarters and an earth ware food container are both essential.

 The range of housing options for rats and mice has grown significantly over recent years. Special cages are now  available that provide plenty of climbing space and are essentially escape proof – a highly important consideration when keeping these rodents in the home as, once free they can be difficult to recapture. To be extra safe, it is worthwhile adding a small combination look at the door. If you prefer not to use a mesh cage – which can be a magnet to a cat – an acrylic container with a ventilated roof is suitable alternative.

This lightweight option is easy to move around but, as with any housing for pets in the home, be sure not to position in the cage resting on furniture in front of a window. In hot weather, your pet may be affected by heat stress, with the glass magnifying the sun’s rays. Rats and mice are also nocturnal creatures and bright daylight can upset their sleep patterns. Position cages in a draught-free place because, in spite of the hardiness of their wild relatives, domestic rats and mice are susceptible to chilling.

Most cages for rats are equipped with a detachable metal tray where the dropping collects. It is a good idea to line the tray with shavings but do not use this as a lining material in the rat’s quarters, where they can burrow directly into it. A better option for this purpose is to use dust-free bedding also sold in pet stores. Both mice and rats are shy creatures so it is essential to provide them with a thick layer of bedding in a corner of quarters where they can retreat and curl up to sleep.

While there are now over 700 different varieties of mice, the number of fancy rat mutations is much lower, totaling less than 30. In most cases, the choice of colors available in most pet stores is small, so if you are seeking out some of the more unusual colors, you will usually need to contact a breeder.

Breeds of rat that are furthest removed from the natural agouti form are the most popular. The most widely kept variety of rat is the albino form, sometimes called the white, which is distinguished by its pink eyes. Its lack of color pigment also accounts for its pink ears and tail. Most of the new rat varieties have direct counterparts in the mouse fancy, with the exception of the mink. This at is coffee colored, with a bluish sheen to its coat. Darker colors include the chocolate, which should be an even dark shade, as well as the black, which must also be pure in color with no odd white hairs visible in its coat. In addition, there are other self varieties with pink eyes and a rosy hue – including the champagne, which is beige. The patterned color variants include the hooded, which has a colored area over its head and shoulders, extending down the back to the base of the tail. In the case of the capped form, there is no darker streak running back down the spine, and the remainder of the fur is white. There is no long-coated form, although there is a rex mutation which has distinctive curled fur and whiskers.

There are both shelf and patterned varieties of fancy mice. One of the most striking is the self red, which is a rich shade of chestnut. Its coloration is improved by the addition of a satin mutation, which gives a glossy sheen to the coat. The eyes are black, but some varieties, such as white and cream, exit in both pink-eyed and black-eyed forms. Evenness of color through the coat is an essential attribute for self-colored mice of all varieties. Tan varieties are instantly recognizable by their appearance. Their under parts are tan-colored, while the remainder of the body is a contrasting shade. The feet should match the body color on the outside and be tan-colored on the inside. Nor is it just dark shades such as black and tan that are regularly seen. Lighter variants, too, such as silver and tan, are quite commonly bred. Mice showing various other markings are also widely kept today. These include Himalayans, with dark pints and the Dutch, which has a similar pattern to that of the corresponding guinea pig or rabbit breeds. The feature of the long-coated and rex variants can be combined with any color form or patterning. The scope here is truly enormous and some fascinating specimens can be seen at the larger mice shows.