Deer Mouse

These mice are more active than fancy mice, but can become just as tame with regular handling when young. Always make sure that you obtain deer mice from captive bred populations as wild mice of the species can carry hantavirus.

Scientific name: Peromyscus maniculatus
Size: 12-18 cm long including tail
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Natural range: North America

Housing

• aquarium with mesh lid is best
• allow at least 10gal per pair
• females should live in pairs or colonies
• males can be housed together if introduced when young
• Bedding: aspen
• Accessories: wheel, branches, hideaway, tubes, chews

Food

• mixture of quality rodent blocks and commercial rodent seed mix
• timothy hay
• occassional kitten kibble, veggies or fruit

Breeding

• Maturity: 5-6 weeks
• Gestation: 21-27 days
• Litter size: 3-6
• eyes open at about a week old
• pups should be weaned by 3 weeks