Mice as pets

[Jeanne]

OK, so I am a sucker.... about a month ago, I purchased some pregnant mice, well, the pythons did not eat them, and they have delivered babies.

I intended to feed all off, however, I got really attached to one mouse in particular..seems to be a male..the rest out of the litter seem to be females.

My question...

can this male live happliy alone as a pet, or would he do better if I paired him up with a male mouse from my original point of sale on the females that is about the same age and size? Can two males live together?

[MAC 1]

Jeanne they can be as cute as a button they are clean active. But we must not loose focus they are a means to a end.

[cassandra]

Jeanne they can be as cute as a button they are clean active. But we must not loose focus they are a means to a end.

You're missing the point. She wants mouse pet advice...not scolding for deciding to keep one as a pet. =)

I had a pet male mouse for a while in high school - he seemed fine by himself, but I certainly don't consider myself a mouse expert. =)

[Shelby]

If I remember correctly, mice aren't as socially dependant as rats are.. they're also more volatile to other members of their species. I think he should be fine living by himself.. if you add another mouse, there's always the chance of them killing each other. Mice are nasty that way.

[Jeanne]

if you add another mouse, there's always the chance of them killing each other. Mice are nasty that way.

Thats exactly what I am worried about, but I would not want the little guy unhappy by himself.... I just want to make sure he will do fine without a friend.

Thanks Cass and Shelby for trying to answer my questions.

[monk90222]

I have one mouse (female) as a pet. She was my best breeder when I had a colony, so she was saved to live out her life in luxury!!

She lives alone in a 10 gallon tank. I have a exercise wheel and some cardboard tubes in there. I also have a few wooden bird toys hanging from the screen top. She chews and climbs on these quite frequently. She has been there alone for a few months now, and seems fine.
Be careful male mice's urine is quite smelly...use the vanilla extract.!! Good luck with him.

[technofairy4life]

I had a male mouse as a pet once he was fine all by himself he might consider you a friend for not letting him get eaten and saving his life

[MedusasOwl]

Girl mice do well in a group, but when I had pet males it was crazy. They'd tear each other up one minute and cuddle together for a nap the next. They all ended up in their own little tank. And yes, stinky males! I was in awe at how fast those tanks got gross right after cleaning!

[Ginevive]

I had a female mosue for a pet eyars ago; named her White Trash. She was preety cool and extremely tame; she never pooped while I handled her but when others did, she was going all over them. I always caged her alone, and she seemed to live a fulfilled life; I was always handling her daily too. An exercise wheel (one without bars or openings; a plastic one; so their tails can't get stuck) and a varied diet.
Males smell horrific though!