Deer
Mouse
(Peromyscus leucopus)
Article By Ann
Vole
Postives Of Deer & White-Footed Mice As Pets:
- Both have been domestic bred and have lots of colors
and genes available (but all mine are wild caught)
- They usually get along with each other
- If kept in a large group, the will not breed (but pairs
by them selves breed quite fine)
- They are very active and fun to watch
- They are easier than fancy mice to hold without getting
bit
- Their native colors look quite beautiful
- Use mouse and/or gerbil accessories
Negatives Of Deer & White-Footed Mice As Pets:
- Everyone reminds you about hantavirus (very little
chance of them having it after quarantine and no chance if captive bred
from breeders or labs)
- They are good escape artists
- They chew as much as gerbils
- Like gerbils, some individuals will attack any ones
added
Anecdotes:
When the run wheel gets stuck, some deer mice will run in fast circles
inside the stuck run wheel like match box toy racing cars doing the loop-de-loop.
Do they have scent glands or smell?
I cannot smell any glands or special smells. The litter smells like human
urine when wet from urine
How long do they live?
I have read about various captive species in labs that live 4-10 years
depending on species.
Do they enjoy interaction?
They seem to calm down fast when you pet them and enjoy being petted.
What is their general personality, disposition, attitude?
Deer mice: they are like gerbils on "hyper" setting they are very
easily distracted and are very curious about anything new.
White-footed mice: These ones are a lot calmer but they can run
faster. They are less curious but they play fight lots (and the winner
grooms the looser)
Are they sweet and petable, or mischievous and playful?
Deer mice: very mischievous and will often tease each other (e.g.
if someone is stopped to eat, another will steal the food then throw it
at the mouse it just took it from) They like to be petted but are too
hyper to stay still too long White-footed: these are more sweet
and love to cuddle with each%20other. They will stop to let you pet them
if still loose in their home but do not like to be held as much.
How messy are their droppings?
Their droppings are often the consistency of peanut butter but dry quickly.
They do not smell much.
Can they be trained?
They are quite smart and always naturally do neat moves (back flips, roll-over,
run on hind feet, climb anything, drag or carry things around) so I think
they could be trained if you could ever consistently catch their attention.
How are deer mice with other pets, larger and smaller?
I have kept deer mice with house mice and with gerbils without problems
from the deer mice. I have never kept the white-footed mice with any other
species.
What size cage do they need?
They love to sleep in a big pile (even bigger, taller piles then other
rodents because they do not seem to need to have their nose exposed like
mice or gerbils do) so not much per animal but being so active, they do
need lots of vertical room to jump (two feet straight up with ease) and
lots of things to jump to and from.
What is the best diet for them?
Mouse/rat food with extra fat and protein from seeds like flax or insects.
What vaccinations/vet care do they require?
None, unless ill.
At what age would it be best to get one?
Younger would probably be better, but not by much. |