Needle mouse: maintenance and care at home

Needle mouse belongs to the family of mouse rodents. This is a small animal with a length of 7 to 13 centimeters, which today is a pleasure for pet lovers.

Distinctive features

Needle mouse differs from its relatives with large eyes and round ears. Its back is covered with small needles, thanks to them it resembles a hedgehog. The color of these animals is pale yellow or tawny. Less common is a dark gray needle-like mouse. Photos of this animal give pleasure to lovers of domestic animals.

Adult males are different from females. They have a long fur, and on the neck even a semblance of a lion's mane is formed. A unique feature that a needle mouse possesses is regeneration. In case of danger, they dump the skin. After that, there are no scars left, and the body is fully restored. This is so: the epithelial cells move to the surface of the wound, under them are concentrated embryonic cells, from which a new, full-grown skin grows.

Where do the mice live?

His native land a needle mouse considers Saudi Arabia, as well as the islands of Crete, Cyprus and northern Africa. It was in these territories that these animals originally divorced. In nature, there are several species of such rodents, but more often in captivity you can find a Cairo variety of needle-shaped mouse. She lives in a hole, which she usually digs herself. Although he can take advantage of a dwelling left by another rodent, if he encounters such a thing.

The period of activity of these animals falls on early morning and late evening. This is a sociable creature, which necessarily lives in a group with relatives. Great as a pet.

How to keep the mouse at home?

The houses of these animals are kept in a small metal cage or in the terrarium behind the glass. It is necessary that such a dwelling should have a wide bottom and low sides. From above you can close the grid. Choosing a house for a mouse, be sure to remember that this is a rodent, so it is not difficult for him to gnaw a wooden floor. Also, many other materials may be affected, and the animal can climb into a narrow gap, be free and then cause damage to many things already in your apartment.

At the bottom of the cage, pour a large amount of chips or chopped paper. Install a small house in which the mouse can sleep, stable feeders and a drinking bowl that it can not turn over. Invent for it or buy in the pet store various gadgets. This is a very moving animal. Suitable wheel for running, various branches, stairs and shelters.

It is better to install the cage near the wall. Since the mouse can be susceptible to hypothermia, it must be protected from drafts. Many people ask themselves how much a needle mouse lives. You can provide yourself an amusing pet for three years.

Mouse care

The mouse likes cleanliness and order. Therefore, every day, you need to clean the cage, sweep out the rest of the food, thoroughly wash and clean the feeder and drinking bowl. If you decide that you will have a needle mouse at home, the maintenance, care of it play a huge role. Bedding for the animal is changed several times a week.

These are very timid rodents, so it is undesirable for a cat or dog to live with a mouse in the house. In addition, the animal does not immediately get used to the person. Be ready, that it will take some time to establish contact. Be sure to equip a hide in the cage, in which he can easily hide at any moment. First time it will be very in demand.

This is a herd animal. Therefore, either immediately buy a few needle relatives, or pay much attention to the game and care for the pet. Mice like to play with small balls, gnaw wooden blocks and other toys. Make sure that the wooden objects that the mouse can gnaw through do not contain any paint or varnish residue. Otherwise, the pet may start serious health problems.

While cleaning the cage and pouring in the feed, especially the first time, avoid sudden movements that can scare the mouse. Try not to talk loudly, gradually accustoming the pet to his voice. Needle mice are smart enough and after a short period of time they will even be able to respond to the nickname you give, and to greet the owner with a joyful squeak.

What do mice eat?

The diet of mice is very diverse. They can be fed with various grains, seeds, cottage cheese, a protein of boiled eggs, and, of course, they like cheese. Do not forget to pamper your pet. To delicacies of needle mice include fruit, berries and bread. Make sure that the pet's diet regularly contains all the necessary minerals and vitamins.

If desired, in pet stores you can buy special food for rodents, containing the necessary substances. It is very important that there is a healthy needle mouse. Feeding should also include twigs of fruit trees. With their help, rodents sharpen their teeth. True, many plants for them can be poisonous. These are hemlock, celandine, lily of the valley, fern, ledum. Make sure that they do not fall into your pet's diet.

Breeding mice

Like all rodents, mice are very prolific. So do not be surprised if your pets start breeding all year round. Under favorable conditions of life and stable nutrition it is not surprising. They can reproduce at the age of one month. In her house the female builds a small nest in which the babies are born. Hay, paper, twigs and various cloths as materials for this shelter are traditionally used by a needle mouse. Reproduction is especially active in the first year and a half of adult life.

Mice are born at night, in one litter can be from 5 to 10 cubs. To the light they appear bare, weighing no more than two grams and a body length of a maximum of 3 centimeters. So immediately recognize the sex of the newborn is almost impossible. Later, males grow significantly larger.

During the period of feeding, be sure to include milk in the pet's diet. Cubs grow quickly, after 5 days they weigh twice as much as at birth. Two weeks later they begin to see, after three they are able to eat independently. The maternal instincts of needle mice are very bright, they take care of their young, are carefully looked after by them. Remember, newborn mice can not be picked up. An alien smell can scare them away from their mother, and she will stop feeding them. In this case, the cubs will simply die of hunger.

How to tame animals?

Needle mice are good at contacting a person and are quickly tamed. If communication with a person is not enough, then they can quickly become wild. Animals are very shy and can even die from fright, so they should be treated with care and care.