Spiny mouse

The Golden spiny mouse are most commonly sold as pets, but there are also Egyptian spiny mice. Care for either is pretty much the same. These mice are larger than regular mice and also have a fairly long lifespan, making them more attractive than other species for some. They are generally good-natured and get their name from the silvery, prickly hairs on their rump. They are good pets for just about anybody. It is definitely worth noting that they have notoriously delicate tails. Be careful when purchasing a wheel and other toys for one that there is nowhere for them to get their tails snagged. NEVER pick one up by the tail. It will literally just break off.

Scientific name: Acomys Cahrinus
Size: 20-25cm long including tail
Lifespan: 3-6 years
Natural range: throughout Africa

Housing

• aquarium with mesh lid is best
• allow at least 10 gal per pair
• for cages make sure the bars are coated and not just wire as they could hurt their tails on it
• females should be kept in pairs or groups
• males can be housed together if introduced when young
• Bedding: aspen or corn cob
• Accessories: wheel, hideaway, tubes, branches

Food

• mixture of quality rodent blocks and commercial rodent seed mix
• occasional mealworm, cricket and fresh veggies

Breeding

• Maturity: 2 months old
• Gestation: 35-42 days
• Litter size: 1-5
• pregnant females should be moved to their own aquarium in last week of gestation
• babies born fully furred and should be mobile and have their eyes open within 24 hours
• begin weaning almost right away and are fully weaned by 3 weeks
• at 4 weeks old they start to molt their grey baby coat; molting should be complete within another month
• females should not be bred past 2 years of age as it is often fatal