Oldfield Mouse (Peromyscus polionotus)
| Oldfield Mouse Peromyscus polionotus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Oldfield Mouse |
| Name Lat. | Peromyscus polionotus |
| Family | Cricetid Rodents |
| Family lat. | Cricetidae |
| Order | Rodents |
| Order lat. | Rodentia |
| Origin | North America |
| Climate | Temperate - subtropical |
| Habitat | Forest, shrubland |
| Diet | Seeds, green fodder, hay, insects |
| Behavior | Nocturnal; territorial |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Life Span | 2-3 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 7-9 cm |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | A: 0.3 m² / H: 40 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2.8"-3.5" |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | 3 ft² / 15" hight |
Distribution and habitat
The range of the mainly nocturnal white-footed mice is in the southeastern United States and along the Mexican east coast to Yucatan, where they live in open forests and scrublands, in corn and cotton fields, and on sandy coasts. During the day, they rest in homemade nests, tree cavities, or abandoned bird nests.
Maintenance
Minimum dimensions for the enclosure:
| 1-2 animals | area: 0.3 m² | height: 40 cm |
| Each additional animal | Area: + 20 |
A terrarium placed in a bright (no direct sunlight), draught-free and quiet place is recommended, with ventilation openings at the sides, and it must not be tightly closed at the top.
They need climbing and hiding places, such as cork tubes, caves, roots, branches, stones, etc. and sleeping houses, as well as food bowls and a drinking vessel. Suitable substrate is, for example, small animal litter and a peat and sand mixture covered with some bark mulch or dry leaves. The bedding depth should be at least 10 cm, better 20 cm. The substrate must always be kept dry. Furthermore, they need nail material, such as rodent stones and unsprayed branches of fruit trees, maple, etc., which should be available at all times. A natural day-night rhythm must be ensured. They should be kept at room temperature.
Diet
Their diet is mainly vegetarian, but they also need animal protein. The diet consists of a low-fat grain mixture, available in specialized shops as "hamster food", supplemented with forage hay, cob millet, some green food (root vegetables, wild herbs, grasses, zucchini, etc.) and a mineral stone. In addition, they need animal protein several times a week, such as live or dried insects (crickets, house crickets, mealybug larvae, etc.) and egg food. Carrots and fruit should only be offered in very small amounts because of the sugar content. Drinking water must always be available in a nipple drinker or open stable container and, like food, should be offered fresh daily in clean containers. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Behaviour and compatibility
In nature they live sociably, but form monogamous pairs. Keeping multiple pairs is only recommended in a sufficiently large, well-structured enclosure with sufficient sleeping hiding places. At the first signs of incompatibility, the animals should be separated immediately
Reproduction and breeding
In juvenile males, the distance between the anus and the urethral opening is greater than in females.
The gestation period is about 28 days. The average of 4 young are born naked, blind and deaf and are suckled for about 3-4 weeks, after which the young can be separated from the mother. They are sexually mature after about 30 days. During rearing the females are very territorial
The life expectancy is 2-3 years.
Important
In nature, they do not hibernate, and therefore, in the fall, they lay in stockpiles
As escape animals, they need sufficient retreat and hiding places. They must not be grabbed or pulled by the tail, as the skin can easily tear and peel off. Care must be taken to ensure thorough hygiene and contamination must be removed regularly.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Alex Rinesch
Source: BMEL (2014): Gutachten über Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Säugetieren; W. PUSCHMANN, D. ZSCHEILE, K. ZSCHEILE (2009): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Säugetiere, Harri Deutsch Verlag
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF