About Jedediah Expertise I can answer questions about exotic rodents (among others jirds, mice species, chinchillas, degus): how to keep them, what to feed them, how to make toys ect.
I cannot answer questions on breeding or medical questions. If your animal appears to be sick, you need to see a rodent vet as soon as possible, don`t waste time asking me.
Experience I keep, have kept or am planning to keep a number of exotic rodents and I am constantly doing research on many species to keep informed.
Expert: Jedediah Date: 4/7/2006 Subject: ideal house for house mouse?
Question I have a rather odd question. I'm a sculptor who is trying to design the ideal shelter for the common house mouse, for use in urban settings (i.e., not as pets). This is for an art installation and it will be totally harmless to the mouse/mice--in fact, the theme of the project is providing security for marginalized creatures; feel free to e-mail me with any questions.
I want to make a small house-like shelter for one mouse, or a few mice, against preditors and against the elements. It will be situated on the ground, against a wall. No food will be provided. Can you tell me what the housing necessities are for a house mouse, as well as what environment might feel welcoming to them? Specifically, I need to know what size and shape an ideal entrance hole would be that would provide ready access but would exclude rats, cats' paws, etc., what the ideal size of a nest area is, whether a reservoir for water (just a trough, not a bottle) would be drunk from if available, and if sheet aluminum would be an objectionable building material to them. Thank you in advance for any information.
Answer Dear Robert,
thank you for your question.
This is really an interesting project and I would be very interested in seeing the result.
The shelter should be designed for a group of mice because they are very social and a wild mouse would never live alone (pet mice shouldn't, too). If you plan to house mice in the exhibit, please offer them food. Mice have a rapid metabolism and starve fast, they need food all the time. Water will be accepted and a dish or something similar is actually much more natural for them than a bottle.
Mice prefer small spaces to hide in and can squeeze through tiny holes, so the entrance hole can be very small. A diameter of one inch is more than sufficient and will offer protection from both rats and cats. They like tunnels to run throgh and hate having to walk over open spaces. Sheet aluminium can be used, but I think the mice would prefer wood at least for their nest. They can gnaw it and gice the nest the shape they want.
Mice like to sleep together and prefer small hiding places for this, a flower pot that is 4 inches high and has a diameter of about 4 inches can easily accommodate eight mice, just to give you an example.
I hope this is of some help to you, please let me know if you have any more questions (I'm not at home for the weekend, but will be back on Monday).
Jennifer
