General Information:
As the name suggests, the African pygmy mouse is one of the smallest rodents (some are as small as 3cm!) and is found throughout Subsaharan Africa. For a tiny mammal, they can live for quite a while; ages up to 4 years have been documented, but they generally average around 2 years.
Fun fact:
In African pygmy mice, the X chromosome determines their gender and not the Y.
They're a nocturnal and omnivorous rodent with a fast metabolism. Interestingly, they also have cheek pouched similar to hamsters.
Useful Links:
Care:
Housing/Enrichment:
Despite their small size, African pygmy mice do need a large enclosure. They need at least a 2ft tank. Barred cages are not an option with pygmy mice as they can easily escape, it's vital they're housed in a tank.
Consider offering pebbles, branches, wooden bridges, wooden tunnels, and coconut hides.
Offer safe nesting materials such as hay and straw, and a suitable safe substrate - preferably something small enough for the pygmy mice to be able to move and nest with.
Do not offer deep water bowls. African pygmy mice can drown!
Useful Links:
As the name suggests, the African pygmy mouse is one of the smallest rodents (some are as small as 3cm!) and is found throughout Subsaharan Africa. For a tiny mammal, they can live for quite a while; ages up to 4 years have been documented, but they generally average around 2 years.
Fun fact:
In African pygmy mice, the X chromosome determines their gender and not the Y.
They're a nocturnal and omnivorous rodent with a fast metabolism. Interestingly, they also have cheek pouched similar to hamsters.
Useful Links:
Care:
Housing/Enrichment:
Despite their small size, African pygmy mice do need a large enclosure. They need at least a 2ft tank. Barred cages are not an option with pygmy mice as they can easily escape, it's vital they're housed in a tank.
Consider offering pebbles, branches, wooden bridges, wooden tunnels, and coconut hides.
Offer safe nesting materials such as hay and straw, and a suitable safe substrate - preferably something small enough for the pygmy mice to be able to move and nest with.
Do not offer deep water bowls. African pygmy mice can drown!
Useful Links:
- www.reptilecentre.com/exo-terra-glass-terrarium-large-wide--90x45x45cm_p4022056.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8vqGBhC_ARIsADMSd1CbVj7hZyb11kXIKeBv2DIG-c7m0iLSPetECfNnJ--736old9-bfogaAgQpEALw_wcB
- www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/accessories/bridges_stairs/stairs/300214?mkt_source=1334735&variantid=300214.0&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8vqGBhC_ARIsADMSd1BsS1T-ei8zfGSNwWiSjD5oxgezBi8S1GbrjzU8Hm8iLnrhAvdDMusaArtFEALw_wcB
- www.internetreptile.com/internet-reptile-cork-bark-medium-tube-short/?utm_medium=cpc&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8vqGBhC_ARIsADMSd1D2W5fhGEcvaJKCPNcYYSpy4PlllsXVecPv5JPcqqcRqKRFFpXqG9waAmgXEALw_wcB#fo_c=2683&fo_k=e0272b0be2ebe6c1f916bbc0c2aa355a&fo_s=gplauk
Socialising:
African pygmy mice are not safe to handle as you can easily inflict damage on them, but you can often see pygmy mice out and about in their enclosure. They startle fairly easily.
Pygmy mice are a communal rodent and will live happily together. Take care when housing males together, as they're reported to be more aggressive towards each other than females.
Diet:
Due to their quick metabolism, African pygmy mice often consume more food and water than you'd initially expect. They're omnivores, so they require both plant and animal material to be healthy.
Mixing a variety of bird foods, adding millet, and dried insects should be suitable for your pygmy mice. Please ensure you offer adequate protein as this will prevent cannibalism.
Useful Links:
Please feel free to ask more questions!
African pygmy mice are not safe to handle as you can easily inflict damage on them, but you can often see pygmy mice out and about in their enclosure. They startle fairly easily.
Pygmy mice are a communal rodent and will live happily together. Take care when housing males together, as they're reported to be more aggressive towards each other than females.
Diet:
Due to their quick metabolism, African pygmy mice often consume more food and water than you'd initially expect. They're omnivores, so they require both plant and animal material to be healthy.
Mixing a variety of bird foods, adding millet, and dried insects should be suitable for your pygmy mice. Please ensure you offer adequate protein as this will prevent cannibalism.
Useful Links:
Please feel free to ask more questions!