White
Footed Mouse
(Peromyscus maniculatus)
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. |
