Mary Allen
Color mice are cute and exciting pets. It’s great fun to watch them climb around in a varied cage. In addition, it is not difficult to keep the relatively uncomplicated rodents. Space and conspecifics are important for a species-appropriate mouse life, then the color mouse likes to reveal its colorful world to its humans.
The Origin of the Color Mouse
The color mouse, which is now available in over 20 different colors and fur drawings, is derived from the gray-brown house mouse. Breeders developed the more than ten subspecies that we know today through targeted matings.
Color Mouse
Size
Males 9–12 cm (including tail), females 8–10 cm (including tail);
Weight
Males 30-50 grams, females 25-45 grams;
Origin
Europe, North Africa, Asia;
Life expectancy
1.5–2 years;
Puberty
Males from four weeks, females from four weeks;
Suckling period
three to four weeks;
Litters per year
Twelve;
Coat color
around 20 different colors.
The Cage for the Color Mouse
You should offer the cute rodents, which have a life expectancy of one to two and a half years, a species-appropriate life. This includes a cage that is as large as possible for the color mouse, which is variedly furnished with houses, ladders, and climbing equipment. Because the little explorers want to experience something! Make sure to use tight bars so that your color mice cannot escape.
The Color Mouse Needs Company
Color mice are born to live in a clan and urgently need conspecifics. Keep at least two rodents, preferably more. For beginners, a small clan of two to four female colored mice, who usually get along well, is suitable.
The Food for the Color Mouse
Mice are omnivores. In nature, they devour both plants and insects that have been captured alive. So make sure you have a varied diet for mice. For basic feed, you can choose a grain mix with not too fatty seeds. You can supplement it with juice foods like dandelions, cucumbers, carrots, and fruits. For the teeth, you provide your color mouse with non-toxic twigs or rodents. Every now and then you can also serve a mealworm, some yogurt, or boiled egg. Always make sure you have fresh water.
Care of the Color Mouse
Color mice are easy to keep, but cage hygiene is important nonetheless. Check the dormitory once a day, because this is where the mice carry excess food. If they eat the hoarded food and if it is spoiled, they can get sick. It is best to check this in the early evening when your crepuscular and nocturnal animals are awake. Clean the bowls and the toilet corner that you cover with some cat litter every day. Twice a week you have to change the litter and wash all accessories with hot water. Bacteria don’t stand a chance and your clan stays awake.