Long-Haired Mice?

Yesterday I went about seperating my half grown males from the rest, and as I did, I noticed something very funny about three!

They have long, silky soft hair!

Sorry for the poor picture quality:

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/PICT0239.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/PICT0233.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/PICT0234.jpg

These came out of two normal furred mice. Is this a ressesive gene? I showed them to my grandmother, and she has been wanting a small furry pet, and as these little guys were very tame and let me pet them easily, I may give her a pair. She wants one of those cages you see at the petstore, all cutsey and wire with a wheel and tunnels. Can anyone recommend a good type and a place to get one for a reasonable amount?

Also, just gotta show off my success! I have NEVER been able to breed mice with any amount of real productivity, but after getting tired of it, I placed them all in a 40g, 1 male to about 7 females, and BAM! Got me a big pile of babies!!

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/PICT0224.jpg

:carrot::carrot::carrot:

Thanks for any help!!

I can't help you with any of your questions, but you have lovely marked little ones and congrats on the pinks.

congrats very cute!!! i love the longer hair

Long hair is a recessive trait in mice so more than likely the mom and dad are Het Long hair.


There are 2 types:

Angora - which have long guard hairs but still have a short undercoat (they also have long whiskers)

Long hair - These usually require a molt at about 5 weeks of age to tell they are long hair and they are determined by not having much of an undercoat (all the hairs are long). True Long hairs are also prone to skin lesions.

I don't know much more than this but hope it helps. They are cute by the way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

Long hair is a recessive trait in mice so more than likely the mom and dad are Het Long hair.


There are 2 types:

Angora - which have long guard hairs but still have a short undercoat (they also have long whiskers)

Long hair - These usually require a molt at about 5 weeks of age to tell they are long hair and they are determined by not having much of an undercoat (all the hairs are long). True Long hairs are also prone to skin lesions.

I don't know much more than this but hope it helps. They are cute by the way.

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Thanks everyone for the compliments :)

I really like these little guys, I think they are the Long Hairs, as they don't seem to have a short undercoat at all. I'll have to keep a close eye for skin problems, but hopefully I'll have them set up for my grandmother, she is absolutely delighted with how soft and sweet they are.

And some of the pinks are showing neat markings, I may grow some up and see if I get anymore long hairs!

Those are really cool! Love them. I can't wait to hear what sort you end up with in your breeding! More pics! More pics!
(I know, rodents are SUCH a pain to get good pictures of, I'm constantly in awe at how many members here get good shots!)
Wolfy

Add on the fact the camera I'm using refuses to take a clear picture! EVER! I'm amazed you can even see the mice in my pictures LOL!

I'll be sure to update if I manage to get more longhairs!