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| Spiny Mouse Breeding FAQ |
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| How can you tell if a spiny mouse is pregnant? I can't really tell you at the momment as I haven't had any pregnancies or births yet... I'm assuming if your mouse is eating more, drinking more or showing quite a bit of weight gain it's probably pregnant. What is their gestation period? The gestation of a spiny mouse is 6 weeks. This may vary a few days. How many pups do they have on average? Spiny mice usually only have 1-3 pups in a litter, 4 isn't unheard of but it isn't overly common either. Spiny mice aren't nearly as prolific as fancy mice and other rodents! When can the pups be weaned? The pups are born usually with their eyes open and litterally running like a deer or a foal. This does not mean they don't need their mothers. They do need to be with their mothers until they are fully weaned at 4 weeks of age where you can seperate them to put with others to learn how to properally socialize with their own kind for two weeks. When they are 6 weeks of age you may sell them in pairs or groups. Does the temperature have to be a certain degree? Spiny mice are desert creatures it can't be too cold for them and warmer climate is preferred. What ever degree you are comfortable in they will be fine in as well. They don't need to be kept in 90 degree weather or anything like that! :) Do they have to be bred in pairs or can you have a harem system? You can breed them in pairs or polygamist groups with one male and several females as long as your cage is big enough either way should work out fine. How long is their breeding life? Spiny mice although they live up to 5 years usually only breed up to the age of 2 years. How can I sell the babies to good homes? Personally I would try my hardest to sell them to private individuals. Although pet shops will buy them they often are not educated to their care and most of these animals will end up having their tails ripped off or be sold to some one who only weeks later will dump them at the pound. It's not unheard of. Try making posters to tack up at feed stores and bulliton boards, put an add in the paper, guarantee that you'll take them back if anything goes wrong and give out care packets with them. You can also list yourself as a breeder or write up a few free adds on the net. Below are a few good links. Rodent Fancy Breeder Directory Jazmyn C's Rodent Breeder Directory Classifieds 2000 Yahoo Classifieds Exotic Animal Classifieds Critter Hobbyist Classifieds Petfinder.com (A rescue/shelter search) Any other Questions? E-mail me--- Back to Spiny Mouse Care Pages--- Ask Our Message Board a Question--- Back Home |