Looking after your Rat or Mouse
Homing
Cages should be of metal or glass as plastic and wood will be chewed, wood can
also get very smelly. A nesting area is usually provided and plenty of space and
suitable toys (wheels, toilet roll tubes, ladders etc.) should be available as
rats and mice are very active. Rough guidelines for space would be 750 square cm
for a mouse and double this for a rat. Bedding is usually wood shavings, sawdust
or paper. Cages should be cleaned out at least twice a week. Neither rats nor
mice are prone to bite. Male mice may fight, females are more likely to get
along together. Rats usually get along well with each other and may be trained
with titbits
Feeding A commercially produced rat or mouse food is usually given
and may be supplemented with small amounts of fruit and biscuits. Fresh water
should always be available.
Handling Mice can be picked up by the base of the tail or cupped
in the hands. They may be scruffed. Mice can move very quickly and are small so
are probably better for older children. Rats should be picked up by a hand
placed around the shoulders. They should not be scruffed.
Reproduction Both rats and mice can be sexually mature by the time
they are 6 - 8 weeks old. They will breed throughout the year and have a
gestation period of around 21 days. Both rats and mice produce an average 10
young and they should not be disturbed for the first 3 days after birth. Weaning
for both species is at around 3-4 weeks of age.
Lifespan Rats 3-4 years. Mice 2-3 years.