RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Mon Oct 31, 2005 10:15 am

Okay, the baby mice I have are 13 days old tday and I was wondering if it is normal for them to hate me holding them? Sad

I have been handeling them since day two and they have been fine up to now. They jump and squirm and just don't want to be held period. They are all over the place when I have them out too. Now I have to periodically do a head count. Will they get over this? Also on of the babies seems to sleep very well. I can pick her up at times while she is sleeping and she will stay like that (she might curl up a little, but still stays asleep). Is this okay or should I worry? She also isn't as jump as everyone else. She squirms alot, but she tolerates me holding her better than everyone else. Is this stuff normal?

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33 rats
5 mice
4 hammies
4 Dogs
3 guinea pigs
3 rabbits
1 cat
R.I.P. Sebastian, Brently, & Bethoveen

Mon Oct 31, 2005 10:22 am

Baby mice (and mice in general) are usually a LOT squirmier and jumpier than rats. Its just mice...the majority of them, including babies, just aren't much for being held. You do get the odd friendly one, but its definately the exception, rather than the rule.

So honestly...no, they won't get over this. Mice are squirms. I've noticed that my boys tend to mellow out a lot as they get older, but they'd still haul butt and dissapear into a wall or soemthing if they had the chance. 's just how most of them are.

As for the sleepy one, as long as she seems to be eating normally, growing normally, and is otherwise healthy, I wouldn't worry. She just may be one of those weird, laid back meeces.

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--Brittany

"He who breaks a thing to find out what it is, has left the path of wisdom."

Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:08 pm

Okay, thanks. That makes me feel much better.

The sleepy one is the same siza as everyone and has always had a full milk belly (although now I can tell). So I guess she is fine just weird.

_________________
33 rats
5 mice
4 hammies
4 Dogs
3 guinea pigs
3 rabbits
1 cat
R.I.P. Sebastian, Brently, & Bethoveen

Mon Oct 31, 2005 3:12 pm

At 13 days old, mice start to go through the 'flea' stage, aka popcorning!! They will jump around everytime you go near them, so you really have nothing to worry about. And yes, they will calm down. Most of mine are popcorn for 3-4 days, others possibly longer. As for the little one who sleeps alot, I have also noticed there is one in nearly every litter that won't popcorn as much ad the others, if at all. And it is always the one to keep wink

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*~*~*~*~*~Hayley & her vermin friends~*~*~*~*~*

Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:38 pm

at 2-3 weeks of age they just wont hold still, and will bounce and squirm its completly normal. The sleepy one doesnt as much probably because its still half a sleep when you pick her up. Shaz

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Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:44 pm

Okay, thanks guys. The one who sleeps alot isn't as squirmy even when she isn't sleeping. By the way she just opened one of her eyes today. bounce

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33 rats
5 mice
4 hammies
4 Dogs
3 guinea pigs
3 rabbits
1 cat
R.I.P. Sebastian, Brently, & Bethoveen

Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:57 am

I agree with what everyone has said here! Ya'll took the words out of my mouth wink

Can we get pics of the meeces when their eyes open? Pretty please?

-Melina

Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:53 am

Sure, I guess so. wink

That is if I can get them to stay still. Rolling Eyes

_________________
33 rats
5 mice
4 hammies
4 Dogs
3 guinea pigs
3 rabbits
1 cat
R.I.P. Sebastian, Brently, & Bethoveen

Thu Dec 01, 2005 2:26 am

Yes, it is true that mice tend to be more skittish than rats. This is especially true when they are just opening their eyes - usually at or around 12 to 14 days of age. I believe it is because this is also the time they become more adventerous, and tend to start leaving the nest on their own and even nibbling solid foods. When that happens, their natural instincts kick in and that includes fleeing any way possible when faced with a possible predator. I also believe that when they first open their eyes, they cannot see clearly for a day or two - and that could also cause them to be more skittish. I have actually had babies around that age jump from my hands, so I always handle them very carefully at that time.

I have also noticed that by 3-4 weeks of age, they do calm down a bit. They are less likely to make a flying leap from your hands at this point, and more often than not will settle a bit after a minute or two and even clean themselves in your hands.

With repeated handling, I have found that my mice tend to mellow out considerably between 2 and 3 months of age - to the point where they are more curious than scared of humans, and will come up to my hands and willingly climb into them to be lifted out and held.

I also believe there is a correlation with the color of the eyes and how easily tamed they are. I have found that, due to their poor eyesight, pink and red eyed mice are more skittish and unsure of handling than black eyed mice. They tend to take a month or two longer to tame, and even then will often run when a hand is placed in the tank - usually to come up and inspect it when they feel it is safe to do so.

Another thing to consider is genetics. If a mouse comes from a line with more skittish mice, then that mouse is more likely to be skittish itself. Whereas, a mouse that comes from a line of social and friendly mice will be more likely to be curious, rather than skittish, and will be more easily tamed.

I am fortunate that all of my mice come from long lines of easily tamed mice, and it does show in the offspring. My adults love to be held, and will all come up at once to my hand when it is presented to them. They will sniff and usually climb right into my hand after a few seconds, and actually seem to enjoy the interaction. A few love to be petted, some don't like it so much....but they don't make squirm or make attempts to get away. They just enjoy the attention, and feel safe.

It takes a while to achieve that, especially with mice that are very skittish. But, if you work with them everyday, they will learn that you are not going to hurt them, and should soon become tame.

I hope that helped....or was at least informative. wink

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Shanna
~ Serendipity Rodentry ~

Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:32 am

It did help Mr. Green

, thanks a bunch.

_________________
33 rats
5 mice
4 hammies
4 Dogs
3 guinea pigs
3 rabbits
1 cat
R.I.P. Sebastian, Brently, & Bethoveen