Hadwin Blanton
Deer mice are a species of rodent mainly found in North America, Alaska, and Canada, with some populations in South America. They are small, growing to between 8 and 10 cm in length (excluding the tail), and have large eyes and ears. They are active at night and stay in their nests during the day. Deer mice can be domesticated and kept as pets, but they are not the same species as the common house mouse. They are curious, mischievous, and playful, but it is difficult to catch their attention for training. They are also good escape artists and can be destructive, so they require a lot of vertical space to jump and climb.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pet Suitability | Deer mice can be kept as pets, but they are not domesticated. They are limited to lab use and hobby breeders. |
| Cuddle Factor | Deer mice are not as affectionate as regular pet mice. They may occasionally bite and will not enjoy conventional playtime. |
| Diet | Deer mice are omnivorous and eat leaves, seeds, insects, fruits, and berries. In captivity, they can be fed fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts, rat food, or rodent mixes. |
| Housing | Deer mice require a large amount of space, both horizontally and vertically. They are good escape artists and excellent climbers. |
| Handling | It is recommended to use gloves when handling deer mice. |
| Training | Deer mice are smart and can be trained, but it is difficult to capture their attention. |
| Social Behaviour | Deer mice are solitary and do not usually interact with other mice of their own species. However, they can be kept with other mice of the same or different species without any difficulty. |
| Lifespan | Deer mice can live between 4-10 years in captivity. |
What You'll Learn
Captive-bred mouse deer are safe from diseases like Hantavirus and Lyme disease
Captive-bred mouse deer are generally safer from diseases than their wild counterparts. This is because captive-bred mouse deer are less likely to come into contact with disease-carrying ticks, which are often found on wild deer.
Deer mice are known carriers of deer ticks, which transmit Lyme disease. Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease that can cause a range of symptoms, including a rash, headache, fever, chills, arthritis, neurological and cardiac disorders. In severe cases, it can lead to acute respiratory failure and even death. Captive-bred mouse deer, however, are less likely to be exposed to deer ticks and therefore have a lower risk of contracting Lyme disease.
Additionally, deer mice are also known to carry the Hantavirus, a potentially fatal virus transmitted through contact with their faeces, urine, or saliva. Hantavirus infections can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting, progressing to respiratory issues and even multi-organ failure in severe cases. Captive-bred mouse deer are typically kept in controlled environments, reducing the risk of exposure to the Hantavirus.
While captive-bred mouse deer may still be susceptible to certain diseases, the risk is lower compared to wild deer. Captive breeding can help reduce the impact of diseases like Lyme disease and Hantavirus, making them safer for potential owners.
It is important to note that even captive-bred mouse deer may still carry or be exposed to certain diseases, and proper precautions should always be taken to ensure the health and safety of both the animal and the owner.
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Mouse deer are affectionate, clean, and well-mannered
Mouse deer are affectionate and exotic pets. They have protruding "fangs", which are canine teeth, and scent glands on their heads that they enjoy rubbing on their owners. They and their droppings have very little odour.
Mouse deer are clean and can be trained to use a litter box. They are similar to other deer in that they tend to chew on things, so destruction to furniture and carpeting is likely to occur.
Mouse deer are well-mannered and can be kept as indoor pets. They are also comfortable enough to be kept outdoors, as some breeders recommend. They are a very social species, and if kept alone, they will need a lot of attention and socialisation.
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They can be trained to use a litter box
Mouse deer are not the same as mice, but there is some information on litter training mice that may be useful. It is possible to train a mouse to use a litter box, but it requires patience and consistency.
First, choose a spot where you can permanently establish your mouse’s litter box. Make sure the mouse’s litter space does not take up too much space in the cage. You cannot move the mouse’s litter box for the first few weeks after you begin potty training, so location is important. It should be in an area of the cage that is far away from its main play area, and away from its food and water.
Second, you need to buy rodent-approved litter that will absorb the mouse’s urine and stop the smell of their poop from rising into the air. If you are purchasing the litter or bedding through an online retailer, always check the reviews and read about the actual performance of the litter. Do not use cat litter as a substitute for mouse litter. Mice will breathe in the powder form the litter, and it will cause lung irritation. Plus, the mice are likely to nibble on the litter, which will give them indigestion.
Once you have chosen a spot and bought the correct litter, place the dirty bedding underneath the litter. By doing this, you are teaching the mouse that this new paper bedding is for defecation. When your mouse does poop in their litter pan, do not clean it out immediately. Allow the defecation to sit for a few hours so the area and material can absorb the smell. If you catch your mouse in the middle of pooping outside of the litter box, gently pick them up and place them inside.
After your mouse has successfully used their litter box for at least a week without fail and you haven’t been able to find any poop in around their cage area, the potty training has been successful. Now you must maintain this behavior. If you ever see poop in the cage area, put it back in the litter. As you rearrange their cage, do not place their food next to the litter for any reason. This will cause their potty training to fail because mice do not like to eat where they poop.
It is important to note that mouse deer are not the same as mice, and there may be differences in the effectiveness of this training method. Mouse deer are likely to be more challenging to train than mice due to their larger size and different behaviour patterns.
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They have protruding fangs and scent glands on their heads
Mouse deer, or chevrotains, are the smallest hoofed mammals in the world. They are not closely related to true deer, and are in fact more closely related to pigs. They have several features that resemble pigs, including four toes on each foot, the absence of facial scent glands, and the presence of premolars with sharp crowns.
However, one species of deer that can be kept as a pet does have protruding fangs and scent glands on its head. The muntjac deer, which can be kept as a house pet, has elongated upper canines that can be up to 6cm long. These "fangs" are used for close-up combat, as males of this species only have a rudimentary set of antlers. Muntjacs also have two large glands located in front of their eyes, called pre-orbital glands, which they frequently lick to help them recognise their own scent. They also have frontal glands on their foreheads, which they rub onto twigs or the ground.
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They are active, curious, and mischievous
Deer mice are highly active and curious creatures. They are also mischievous and playful, and will often tease each other. For example, if one deer mouse is stopped from eating, another will steal the food and throw it at the mouse it took it from. They are easily distracted by new things and are very curious about their surroundings. They are also smart and naturally perform neat moves like backflips, roll-overs, and running on their hind feet.
Deer mice are good escape artists and can be quite destructive, so they require a lot of vertical room to jump and climb. They are also known to chew on things, so furniture and carpets may be at risk. They are easier to catch than fancy mice, but they will still require live catch traps. They are also easier to hold without getting bitten.
In terms of diet, deer mice require extra fat and protein from seeds like flax or insects. They will also eat fruits, vegetables, berries, and nuts. It is important to provide them with proper protein supplements.
Overall, deer mice make interesting and active pets, but they require a lot of space and stimulation to stay entertained and healthy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to have a mouse deer as a pet. However, they are not domesticated, so it is important to be aware that they will never be as tame as a typical pet. They are also carriers of the Hantavirus and Lyme diseases, so it is important to ensure that your pet mouse deer is not carrying these diseases.
A mouse deer is a small deer species that typically grows to between 8cm and 10cm in length, with a tail that can reach up to 30cm. They are usually black, white or grey, with four white legs and a multi-coloured tail. Native to North America, Alaska and Canada, they are most commonly found in forests, woodlands, grasslands and brushy areas.
Mouse deer are omnivores, so they eat a variety of foods, including leaves, seeds, insects, fruits and berries.
Mouse deer require a large amount of space, as well as vertical areas to jump and climb. They can be kept with other mouse deer or different mouse species without any issues. It is important to provide them with protein supplements in addition to their typical diet of fruits, vegetables, berries and nuts.
