|
Description |
|
Small Rodent available in many colours. Also exists in the wild, considered as a pest.
|
| Varieties |
|
Colours from black to white, even totally bald |
| Latin name |
|
Mus Musculus |
| Origins |
|
Asia, now spread throughout the world |
| Rarity |
|
Very Common
|
Breeding |
| General |
|
Very prolific, with high fertility rate |
| Maturity |
|
Reached between 6 & 12 weeks |
| Ovulation |
|
Lasts 4 - 6 days, on heat for 12 hours |
| Rest Period |
|
Able to become pregnant straight after birth |
| Gestation |
|
18 - 21 days |
| Food Supplements |
|
Wheatgerm, milk |
| Litter |
|
Born in individual birth sacs which are then eaten by the mother. Babies are born blind, deaf, naked |
| Weaning Period |
|
21 - 28 days. Eating some solids at 10 days |
| Adult |
|
8 weeks
|
Housing |
| General |
|
Cage should be easy to keep clean, and not have gaps allowing mice to escape. Recommended size is 30x20x20cm |
| Types |
|
Glass tanks, plastic, or wooden |
| Base |
|
Use sawdust or shavings, with bedding for nest making |
| Feeders |
|
Use earthernware pots rather than plastic which cannot be chewed easily. Drinking bottle is best for water |
| Toys |
|
Exercise wheel, ladders, houses, old plastic food cartons (cleaned first) |
| Location |
|
Take care not to place near windows which can be hot in summer and cold in winter. Place in a warm dry room, away from draughts |
nformation
