In early December 2007 my younger brother and a co-worker found a deer mouse nest at the rock quarry
where they work. Mama mouse had been accidentally killed by some equipment. Thinking the 3-4 week old babies could live with
my rats, they gave me all four mice. Of course, mice cannot live with rats. Rats are opportunistic eaters and will make lunch
of animals smaller than themselves.
I didn’t have a suitable set-up for mice at home, so I put them in a clear plastic storage bin and poked
holes in the lid. I gave them a hidey-house, some rat food, and a dish of water. Thankfully they were old enough to eat some
solid food. By the next morning I could see nibble marks on the Mazuri lab blocks.
Over the next 3 months they grew tremendously (and I subsequently moved them into a proper aquarium,) learned
to use a water bottle, and took to running on a wheel with great passion. They are also learning that people are okay to be
around. They will accept food from my hand (they love the rats’ yogurt drops,) and if they are in the mood they will
allow a few pets.
They are primarily nocturnal, so I usually give them a treat and spend some time watching them before I go
to bed at night. They are hilarious to watch! They could keep a person entertained for hours with their agile antics.
I have given a lot of though to returning them to the wild. They are fairly tame and seem quite content. They
don’t fear humans or dogs, which worries me most of all. Plus their life span in the wild would likely be 6 months to
a year at most, whereas in captivity I am told they can live 5-7 years. Some sources cite 10 years. So, it looks like they
will be staying with me.
