Typical striped grass mouse

The striped grass mouse, scientifically known as Lemniscomys striatus, is a small rodent belonging to the Myomorpha suborder within the Muridae family. There are approximately eleven species of striped grass mice, with Lemniscomys barbarus and Lemniscomys striatus being the most commonly kept in captivity. These species are further classified into six subspecies, each occupying distinct geographic regions.

Physically, the striped grass mouse is rather petite. It has a blackish-brown back adorned with pale dorsal stripes and rows of small pale spots along its sides. The underside of the mouse is whitish with a yellowish tint, and its feet are brownish. Females possess distinct mammary characteristics and a specific karyotype.

Female striped grass mice reach sexual maturity at around 168 days of age. They have a gestation period of about 25 days and typically give birth to an average of 4.54 pups per litter. In the wild, these mice generally do not live beyond their first breeding season. However, in captivity, they can live up to 4.8 years.

These mice are native to Central and Western Africa, inhabiting countries such as Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Ethiopia, Angola, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi. They prefer habitats like deforested areas, grasslands, secondary forests, and savannas, thriving at elevations up to 1,700 meters above sea level.