African pygmy mouse

The African pygmy mouse, a diminutive rodent native to sub-Saharan Africa, has also become a popular pet in various parts of the world. These small creatures belong to the superfamily Muroidea and exhibit a range of colors from grey to brick-red, with lighter undersides and distinctive triangular ears.

Adult pygmy mice are remarkably small, measuring just 30-80 mm in length and weighing between 3-12 grams, with their tails adding another 20-40 mm to their overall length. These mice mature rapidly and can begin breeding at just 6-8 weeks of age. Females have a brief gestation period of about 20 days, typically giving birth to around three offspring, which are born blind and hairless.

While their average lifespan is roughly 2 years, some can live for over 4 years, especially when kept in captivity. One fascinating behavior of the African pygmy mouse is their habit of stacking pebbles to gather dew, which they then drink. They also possess a unique mechanism for sex determination involving rearrangements of the X chromosome.

In the wild, these mice generally live in colonies or pairs near water sources and are excellent climbers. When kept as pets, they thrive on social interaction and are best housed in pairs or small groups. They are low-maintenance and active both day and night, making them intriguing exotic pets. However, due to their tiny size and tendency to jump when startled, they are not ideal for frequent handling.