African pygmy mouse (Mus minutoides)

Short answers

African pygmy mouse: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 80×50×50 cm (for a group of 4–6 animals; no species-specific official standard – floor area as in TVT leaflet no. 158 'Mice', which asks 80×50 cm for the genus Mus; height can be lower because the species lives mainly on the ground). Escape-proof terrarium with fine mesh lid – they jump up to 50 cm and squeeze through the tiniest gaps, ordinary mouse cages are unsuitable. Structure densely with hay, grass tufts, cork tubes and small houses; running wheel from 15 cm.

African pygmy mouse: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C room temperature; these tiny animals lose heat quickly – avoid draughts and cold rooms., at night Not below 18 °C at night.

African pygmy mouse: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not needed – daylight in the room is enough.

African pygmy mouse: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: Usually about 2 years, with good care individual animals 3–4 years.

African pygmy mouse: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C room temperature; these tiny animals lose heat quickly – avoid draughts and cold rooms.

Night temperature

Not below 18 °C at night.

Humidity

40–60 % (normal room air; good ventilation, no waterlogging)

UVB

Not needed – daylight in the room is enough.

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 80×50×50 cm (for a group of 4–6 animals; no species-specific official standard – floor area as in TVT leaflet no. 158 'Mice', which asks 80×50 cm for the genus Mus; height can be lower because the species lives mainly on the ground). Escape-proof terrarium with fine mesh lid – they jump up to 50 cm and squeeze through the tiniest gaps, ordinary mouse cages are unsuitable. Structure densely with hay, grass tufts, cork tubes and small houses; running wheel from 15 cm.

Substrate

8–10 cm of fine, low-dust small-animal bedding or wood shavings with plenty of hay in which they make runs; hay and kitchen paper for nesting.

Feeding

Food

Fine seed mix (millet, grass seeds, budgie or finch food), some greens and herbs, small insects (mini crickets, pieces of mealworm) or some egg several times a week. Millet sprays for enrichment, water in a shallow dish with stones or a rodent drinker.

Feeding interval

Daily in the evening; because of their fast metabolism some food must always be available.

Key facts

Adult size

Head-body about 5–7 cm, tail 4–6 cm; only 3–8 g – one of the smallest rodents.

Life expectancy

Usually about 2 years, with good care individual animals 3–4 years.

Origin

Sub-Saharan Africa, especially grassland, bush steppe and fynbos; always near water.

Protection status

Not protected: not on the EU invasive species list, not in the German BArtSchV, the EU wildlife trade regulation or CITES. Keeping in Germany is allowed without papers. (In the Netherlands the species is not on the positive list for pets; breeding and import are no longer allowed there.)

Brumation

None – keep evenly warm all year.

Cohabitation

Group. Social animals, never keep alone; low-stress setups are female groups or one male with several females. Only add new animals after rearranging the enclosure and ideally several at once, otherwise there will be fights.

Notes

Purely animals to watch. Biological peculiarity: in this species many animals with a male chromosome set (XY) are nevertheless fertile females – so treat sexing at purchase with caution.

Do you keep this species?

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Look for African pygmy mouse (Mus minutoides) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Fancy mouse (Mus musculus) – Beginner
• Eurasian harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) – Expert
• Cairo spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) – Intermediate
• Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) – Intermediate
• Barbary striped grass mouse (Lemniscomys barbarus) – Intermediate
• Four-toed hedgehog (African pygmy hedgehog) (Atelerix albiventris) – Intermediate
• Chinchilla (long-tailed chinchilla) (Chinchilla lanigera) – Intermediate
• Common degu (Octodon degus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep African pygmy mouse (Mus minutoides) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×50×50 cm (for a group of 4–6 animals; no species-specific official standard – floor area as in TVT leaflet no. 158 'Mice', which asks 80×50 cm for the genus Mus; height can be lower because the species lives mainly on the ground). Escape-proof terrarium with fine mesh lid – they jump up to 50 cm and squeeze through the tiniest gaps, ordinary mouse cages are unsuitable. Structure densely with hay, grass tufts, cork tubes and small houses; running wheel from 15 cm.), substrate (8–10 cm of fine, low-dust small-animal bedding or wood shavings with plenty of hay in which they make runs; hay and kitchen paper for nesting.), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.