What's the difference between ASFs and regular mice?

[M&J in NC]

I know what ASF means, and I've seen pics of them, but they just look like mice to me. Can someone tell me the difference? And what's the advantage of feeding ASFs instead of mice?

~ Michael

[llovelace]

Asf's get a little larger than mice, but they are slow growing.
Asf's drop nice sized litters like every 3 weeks.
Asf's will never out grow your snake like regular rats.

[littleindiangirl]

Two totally different species, and no they dont look that much like mice. LOL.

Mice have a shorter muzzle, smaller eyes that are closer set, and much bigger ears. While their body seems to be longer, the ASF's is a bit shorter in proportion.

ASF's grow about 2 times bigger than mice, have about 20 pairs of teats.

[JLC]

ASF's grow about 2 times bigger than mice, have about 20 pairs of teats.

Are you serious?!? How in the world did God fit 20 pairs of teats on that itty bitty body??? I'm sure as heck glad I'm not a mouse or rat of any species!

[littleindiangirl]

Are you serious?!? How in the world did God fit 20 pairs of teats on that itty bitty body??? I'm sure as heck glad I'm not a mouse or rat of any species!

Haha, okay I wrote that wrong. Not 20 PAIRS, but can have 20 teats!

[nixer]

Haha, okay I wrote that wrong. Not 20 PAIRS, but can have 20 teats!

lol thats more like it

[Clear]

Also ASF are not scared of you and will chase you around a room if they get out.!

[MarkS]

Haha, okay I wrote that wrong. Not 20 PAIRS, but can have 20 teats!

That's why their ORIGINAL name (before some marketing genius thought up the name of African Soft Furred Rats) was the Multimammate Mouse or Rat.

The OP might want to put that name into a search engine when doing research on the species.

[greghall]

I agree drop the name african ,& maybe some states would,nt have banned them

[littleindiangirl]

I agree drop the name african ,& maybe some states would,nt have banned them

Or, they know how economically destructive this species is to farming in Africa, with populations reaching epidemic levels in one season, and don't want to risk that kind of pest.