Cairo spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus)

Short answers

Cairo spiny mouse: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 100×50×80 cm (for 3–5 animals; no official standard for spiny mice – derived from TVT leaflet no. 158 'Mice' with 80×50×80 cm and enlarged because spiny mice are bigger and climb a lot; more space is clearly better). Well-ventilated terrarium or rodent enclosure with mesh top, structured like rocks with stone piles, cork tubes, branches and several caves; large solid wheel (from 28 cm).

Cairo spiny mouse: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C room temperature; spiny mice like warmth and are sensitive to cool, damp air – not below 18 °C., at night Not below 18 °C at night.

Cairo spiny mouse: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Cairo spiny mouse: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: Usually 3–5 years in human care, some live longer.

Cairo spiny mouse: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C room temperature; spiny mice like warmth and are sensitive to cool, damp air – not below 18 °C.

Night temperature

Not below 18 °C at night.

Humidity

30–50 % (dry room air; strictly avoid wet and damp conditions)

UVB

Not needed – bright daylight in the room is enough.

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 100×50×80 cm (for 3–5 animals; no official standard for spiny mice – derived from TVT leaflet no. 158 'Mice' with 80×50×80 cm and enlarged because spiny mice are bigger and climb a lot; more space is clearly better). Well-ventilated terrarium or rodent enclosure with mesh top, structured like rocks with stone piles, cork tubes, branches and several caves; large solid wheel (from 28 cm).

Substrate

10–15 cm of small-animal bedding or wood shavings with hay, with a sand-loam area in one spot; hay and kitchen paper as nesting material. Place stones firmly on the floor so nothing can be undermined.

Feeding

Food

Low-fat seed mix (budgie/mouse mix, few sunflower seeds), grasses, herbs and some vegetables; insects several times a week as protein. Avoid sugary and fatty treats and lots of fruit – spiny mice are prone to diabetes and obesity. Hay, gnawing twigs and water in a bowl.

Feeding interval

Once a day in the late afternoon or evening; scattering food in the bedding is good enrichment.

Key facts

Adult size

Head-body 8–13 cm, tail about as long; 30–70 g.

Life expectancy

Usually 3–5 years in human care, some live longer.

Origin

Dry rocky slopes, wadis and settlements in north-east Africa (Egypt, Libya, Sudan to Somalia). Many pet stocks are not reliably identified; some are the closely related Arabian spiny mouse (A. dimidiatus).

Protection status

Not protected: not on the EU invasive species list, not in the German BArtSchV, the EU wildlife trade regulation or CITES. Keeping is allowed without papers.

Brumation

None – keep warm and dry all year.

Cohabitation

Group. Very social; least stressful are female groups or one male with several females (then plan for young or have the male neutered). Several males often fight. Group members even help each other with birth and rearing.

Notes

Special feature: the skin tears very easily when grabbed, and the tail can lose its skin when held and does not regrow. On the other hand skin wounds heal remarkably well, which is why spiny mice are used in regeneration research. Several Acomys species are sold as 'spiny mouse'; their care is practically identical.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Cairo spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) in the marketplace →

Related species

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• 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 Cairo spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 100×50×80 cm (for 3–5 animals; no official standard for spiny mice – derived from TVT leaflet no. 158 'Mice' with 80×50×80 cm and enlarged because spiny mice are bigger and climb a lot; more space is clearly better). Well-ventilated terrarium or rodent enclosure with mesh top, structured like rocks with stone piles, cork tubes, branches and several caves; large solid wheel (from 28 cm).), substrate (10–15 cm of small-animal bedding or wood shavings with hay, with a sand-loam area in one spot; hay and kitchen paper as nesting material. Place stones firmly on the floor so nothing can be undermined.), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.