Releasing orphaned field mice - Too cold?

[Fracster]

Cheeky little bleeders are currently nesting in my woodland hide, I haven`t got the heart to turf them out into the awful weather.

[JudithD]

Just a little update regarding the baby mouse. She is doing great and seems happy in her 40 gallon aquarium full of toys, houses, and a wheel.

I went to Petco, a large pet store chain here in states and bought a white domestic female mouse for companionship and they are doing great together. I'm so happy that they get along and I don't have to feel guilty keeping one lone mouse.

Squeeks is the wild mouse.
And Wilma is the store bought mouse.

Judith

[posie]

Hi Judith, I've been following your lovely story. So you've bought her a 'sister', I hope the white one that you bought, Wilma, isn't pregnant, cos they start mating very early, and she may have been in with male or males before you got her, even before the petshop got her in.I can't remember the gestation period of tame mice, but I would keep an eye on her for a while.,...Posie...

[JudithD]

Originally Posted by posie

Hi Judith, I've been following your lovely story. So you've bought her a 'sister', I hope the white one that you bought, Wilma, isn't pregnant, cos they start mating very early, and she may have been in with male or males before you got her, even before the petshop got her in.I can't remember the gestation period of tame mice, but I would keep an eye on her for a while.,...Posie...

Hi Posie,
Thank you for your support.

This particular pet store chain has the mice separated by sex. The males are in one tank and the females are in another. But, I did think about her being pregnant...

I bought Wilma on Nov. 19th. I'll research how long the gestation period is. The LAST thing I need is more mice!

Judith

[valleyforge]

Hi Judith,

I'm pleased to learn that your orphan is still doing well.

Could you possibly post a photo of her (and maybe her new companion too) for identification purposes?

I'm guessing now, if they are getting on well together, that they are both House Mice (Mus musculus)?

[posie]

Hello J., Should be OK then, but if Wilma does produce, then you'd HAVE to let the other one have some babies, wouldn't you, 'cos she'd pine, then when weaned you could sex ALL the babies, put them in separate tanks, and Open A Pet Store ! ! ! You know you've always wanted one! !........Posie....

[JudithD]

Originally Posted by posie

Hello J., Should be OK then, but if Wilma does produce, then you'd HAVE to let the other one have some babies, wouldn't you, 'cos she'd pine, then when weaned you could sex ALL the babies, put them in separate tanks, and Open A Pet Store ! ! ! You know you've always wanted one! !........Posie....

Haa Haaa - NOOOOO more mice. We have a full house! 4 cats which love watching the mice and 2 Chihuahuas. It is already a zoo around here most days. A fun zoo though.

[JudithD]

Originally Posted by valleyforge

Hi Judith,

I'm pleased to learn that your orphan is still doing well.

Could you possibly post a photo of her (and maybe her new companion too) for identification purposes?

I'm guessing now, if they are getting on well together, that they are both House Mice (Mus musculus)?

I'll try to get photos, although they scurry to their underground nests when we approach. Although the cats can have their faces pressed against the tank and the mice do not mind at all.

Wilma, the store bought mouse is the plain white mouse with pink eyes. Would she fall into the cateogory of a House Mouse?

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by JudithD

Wilma, the store bought mouse is the plain white mouse with pink eyes. Would she fall into the cateogory of a House Mouse?

Yes, that's right .... she'd be an albino form bred for the pet trade, but originally from the House Mouse (Mus musculus), which is naturally light greyish-brown with dark eyes.

I'd just be interested to know if two unrelated species would continue to coexist together, if Squeeks happens to be something other than a wild House Mouse.

[posie]

Yes, valleyforge, i'm interested to know that too. I'll await OP's photos and your ID......Posie..