The Japanese dwarf mouse, otherwise called the dancing or waltzing mouse, is a creature still little known to nature lovers and those who keep rodents in domestic terrariums. Perhaps this is due to the fact that in our country this species (in Latin - Mus musculus molossinus) is not found. The distribution range of the Japanese dwarf mouse is in some areas of Southeast Asia and the Japanese islands. We will talk about these tiny creatures, the peculiarities of their maintenance in captivity, as well as the pros and cons of communicating with them in this article.
Appearance
Zoologists classify Japanese mice as ordinary house mice (Mus musculus). The difference is in the habitat of animals and in appearance. "Japanese", which in our time are considered rather decorative than wild rodents, will undoubtedly attract the attention of your and your children with a variety of colors, features of the coat, its density or even lack of hair (the so-called naked mouse). And the thing is that initially, back in Japan, this type of rodent was used to conduct experiments in biological and medical laboratories. First, arbitrary crossbreeding, and then systematic breeding work, led to such an abundance of varieties. Although most often, speaking of the appearance of Japanese dwarf mice, they mean color in the form of a simple spotted - white with black spots or, conversely, a common black with white.
In addition, Japanese mice are the smallest among all miniature representatives of the rodent genus. They are called "little finger mice," and this is true. To this size is added a tail, traditionally devoid of wool. The weight of such an animal rarely exceeds six grams.
Character
People containing these animals at home unanimously say that as long as a mouse lives, it will delight you with its friendly, playful, curious character. They are easily tamed and gladly "travel" on the hands of man.
However, it should be borne in mind that if you bought a small animal in a nursery or pet store, you should not immediately switch to "manual" contact. It all depends on the conditions in which your pet was born and lived. Perhaps he is not yet tamed, and then you have to find a common language with this animal. To make, however, it will be easy - just take your time.
By the way, if you have not tamed the animal, it is recommended to take it only by the tail to move it.
Content Features
Sometimes, future owners of funny little Japanese mice have the misleading impression that any box or old bird cage is suitable for them as a home.
But no. First of all, you need to consider that these animals love to move, delving into the filler and gnawing something. It follows: the cage in which this baby will henceforth dwell must have a high rim, or an aquarium or a plastic terrarium will approach, on the bottom of which a decent layer of wood filler is poured. If this rule is neglected, sawdust from under the paws of an overactive mouse will fly around the room. If a cage is selected, the distance between the rods should not be more than half a centimeter. Otherwise, these dexterous and flexible creatures will "leak out" to freedom and walk around the apartment.
Important note: it is better that the pallet in the cage or the accommodation is not wooden. The tree absorbs smells well - as a result, even a freshly cleaned house will become a constant source of unpleasant odor.
Animals are afraid of drafts - this point is also worth considering. Not the best option for the location of the terrarium would be a windowsill or balcony. Especially if it is brightly lit by sunlight. Still, nature created mice exclusively as nocturnal animals, which, when the day comes, usually climb into their secluded burrows.
No need to put a cage or terrarium near a hot battery. The optimum temperature for keeping the animal is from 19 to 22 degrees.
Do not forget about the nest
It is also worth mentioning that there should be a nest in the terrarium, which the mice themselves will arrange in the house. Wooden or ceramic houses can be purchased at any pet store. You can use part of the coconut. Throw toilet paper or napkins near the house, and the mice will build a place for themselves to relax. Just do not offer the animals cotton or cloth. Experience in the content of rodents has shown that these materials are not suitable for such use.
One of the fans offered an unusual know-how for the house. He took a loaf of plain white bread and, having dried it to a state of “strong” cracker, offered it to his pets. Those could, gnawing it, some time and dwell in it. Another option: you can dry the bread by first pulling out most of the crumb from it, and only then put it in the terrarium.
It is important to keep in mind that the proposed cracker should have been thoroughly dried and not contain rye and butter flour. Rye causes fermentation in the intestinal tract, and baking contains sugar and fats, which are also contraindicated in the mouse.
About filler
At the bottom of the mouse house you can pour any wood filler in the form of sawdust (middle fraction). Fans also use granular (extruded) filler, since their assortment in pet stores is now quite diverse.
Depending on the number of animals living in the terrarium, the filler must be changed. Replacing the entire filler is completely worth every two to three days or a week.
About toys
It is absolutely necessary to install a special running wheel, ladders and various poles in the mouse dwelling so that your pet can climb, jump, explore the surroundings and run. The fact is that this type of rodent is very active - awake, they rarely remain motionless. Therefore, this kind of mouse toys will be the main entertainment.
When installing a running wheel or acquiring a cage with an existing one, keep in mind that the optimal wheel diameter is desirable at least 10 cm, and the running surface should be solid - with any holes there is a chance of injury to the mouse, tiny paws and tail of which can get stuck, if it mesh or crossbars. In addition, the wheel should be light enough - the mouse simply will not be able to move along the heavy wheel.
Japanese dancing mice are very curious and restless creatures that move most of the time exploring the surroundings or making a nest. In addition, they are also excellent jumpers. So offer them for fun a variety of things - a snag of a bizarre shape, rope ladders, even just a roll of used toilet paper. Watching nimble animals will surely bring you a lot of pleasure.
How much to start?
If you have ever lived hamsters, then you will not have problems with a new pet, because the rules for joint maintenance of Japanese mice are almost the same. It is better not to settle the male and the female together if you do not want constant replenishment of the family. In addition, frequent deliveries are unlikely to be beneficial to the female’s health.
The best option is one animal. But then you better allocate at least a little of your time - because the mouse, like most living things, needs communication.
It is not recommended to start two males, since the rodent instinctively implies a desire to protect their residential area, not letting outsiders into it. This applies primarily to males. Thus, having two “boys”, you run the risk of watching frequent brawls between the inhabitants of the mouse house.
If you start two, it is better than females. They are more peaceful, although sometimes small skirmishes happen between them.
What do Japanese mice eat?
Not exactly what you eat. Zoologists, talking about Japanese mice and caring for them, in no case recommend giving home rodents fresh bread, fatty foods, as well as containing salt, sugar, spices treats. That is a lot of what their owners love.
It is important not to overfeed rodents, but you need to remember that mice are creatures that often eat in small portions. The fact is that rodents have an intense metabolism, so they need to be reinforced often.
What should be included in the diet of Japanese mice? First of all, whole grain. You can buy wheat or oats by yourself and, after washing and drying it, offer pets. And you can buy a ready-made grain mixture for rodents in a pet store.
An indispensable part of the diet should be vegetables, fruits, herbs. Vegetables should not be offered only potatoes and cabbage, which can provoke fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract. Corn and tomatoes can only be given occasionally.
If your mouse is weak or sick, it is best to feed it with steamed oats or boiled oats without salt and sugar.
Protein food is necessary for all mice, without exception, but quite rarely - no more than once a week. This can be cooked and chopped meat (including liver), gammarus crustaceans, shrimp. You can offer mice protein hard-boiled eggs and low-fat cottage cheese.
A rodent needs to grind his teeth all his life - therefore, be sure to enter a mineral stone in the diet of a Japanese mouse.
What do they drink?
Finally, it should be borne in mind that there should always be drinking water in the cage or terrarium. It is not true that mice do not need it. Use an automatic or regular drinker. The latter is less convenient, because it will often have to change the water. But the automatic one has its drawbacks - if there is a hole in the cage into which the drinking bowl is installed, then when the water changes, the mice can slip away into the wild.
As for water, it can be either boiled or raw, but in the latter case it is better to pass it through a filter.
True, there is an opinion that if about half of the daily feed of the mouse is made up of “wet” vegetables and fruits, you may not need to put a drinker in the cage.
Minuses
And here they are. Those about which it is impossible not to say so that there is no disappointment from communicating with a small tailed creature, for which, as you say, being its master, you are now responsible.
The Japanese dwarf mouse, like all rodents, is especially active at night. Therefore, the place where you install the cage or aquarium is better not to organize in the bedroom. Or, for the night, you can take the mouse from the room to the mouse room, where rustles and creaks will not hinder anyone.
Caution will not hurt when you first meet a small pet - because of the many new impressions, relocation to a new house, changes in nutrition and social circle, the mouse for the first time be unsociable or even show some aggressiveness. This is rare, but it does happen. Be patient - his usual curiosity and sociability will return to the animal.
Another huge minus in the content, which upsets their owners, is how much the mouse lives. The lifespan of these babies is a maximum of two years, most often even less.
Why "dancing"?
Unfortunately, there is nothing mysterious and even more romantic in this another name of the Japanese decorative mouse. For the most common inherited disease of these babies is inflammation of the inner ear.
It arose from closely related crossing in the laboratory. The individuals that were overtaken by this sore lose their correct orientation and make strange movements, similar to dancing jumps, sometimes even spinning in one place. Some ignorant lovers once had the idea to give such a name to their sick pet, which later, due to their unusual nature, took root.
Of course, you need to understand that if the Japanese mouse makes such movements, they need not be enthusiastic, but show the animal to the veterinarian.