Fancy Mice: The Popular 'Pocket Pets' - Part I

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When thinking about mice the image that stuck your mind may be that associated with witchcraft, or the ugly black mice often seen on garbages. But apart from the wild mice there are wide varieties of mice in different colors and textures, which could easily domesticated. Mice are the smallest mammals ever domesticated, and breeding mice is an ancient hobby. This curious little creature can make very interesting and enjoyable companions. Often mice are the great first pet for children. Mice are great pets for several reasons. They are small, inexpensive, and very easy to care for. The mouse is a very adaptable creature who can thrive in almost any environment. They're clean, shed very little and carry few allergens, but best of all they're intelligent, entertaining, and affectionate companions. Caring for a pet mouse is fairly inexpensive, and when cared for properly mice can live significantly longer and happier lives.

Mice are the most popular pocket pets. Pocket pets are small pets that will fit into your pocket. The fancy mice or pet mice are a domesticated form of the wild house mouse, of which there are a number of different subspecies. Apart from the natural varieties there are a lot of inbred varieties available today. More temperamental, more nippy and more flighty mice are available to domesticate. Actually there are more than 700 color and coat varieties. Coats can be smooth, curly, long-haired or even a combination of these. The most usual color variations include brown, black, tan, gray and albino with both lighter and darker shades of these as well.

Buying your mice
Prefer healthy mice always as these animals are very delicate. Healthy ones could be identified form the playfulness and activities. Ensure that your pets are vaccinated properly. Select any color of your choice and likeness. Mixing patterns rather than selecting the same kind may make your pet cage more attractive and entertaining. When picking out your mice, look for active bright mice, with smooth clean coats and pink clean skin on the ears and tail. The eyes and nose should be free of discharge, and the mouth and anal areas should be clean and dry. Their breathing will be relatively fast, but should not be labored or noisy.

Handling your pet
Be careful when holding mice as a relatively short fall can cause injuries. They love to be handled and played with. Only by handling daily a mouse may feel comfortable with you. Mice are easily frightened by strange smells. When first interacting with your mouse, put your hand in the cage and allow him to come to you. Don't make any sudden moves or attempt to pick the mouse up, until he is comfortable with your scent. Never pick your mouse up by the tail. Always scoop them from their belly, providing support for their feet with your other hand.
We will discuss more about handling, housing and breeding your pet mice in the next article.