Egyptian spiny mouse

Did you know?
That unlike other mice young Spiny mice are well developed at birth? The gestation period is 5–6 weeks, or about two weeks longer than the mouse norm.

Photo Copyright by
OLaf Leilinger

Why do zoos keep this animal

The Egyptian spiny mouse is the most frequently kept of the about 18 Acomys species. Zoos keep spiny mice primarily for educational reasons, because it has a hedgehog-like fur and a reproductive biology, wich differs greatly from most other mice. Being small,diurnal, social and very active animals, spiny mice appeal particularly to children, and are an ideal species for awakening a positive attitude towards animals and nature.

How this animal should be kept

Spiny mice are social animals and must be kept in pairs or, preferably, groups containing one or several males (two males can be kept together quite comfortably if introduced at a young age) and several females. They are very intolerant against foreign animals however, i.e. introducing a mouse into an existing group is not advisable, better put a new pair together, or mix mice of different origin at young age.

The biggest concern in any grouping of spiny mice is overcrowding. If there are too many mice in too small an enclosure, dominance fights can quickly become fatal. If fights, or bite marks or pulled out hair on the smaller members of the group are observed, the entire group should be moved to a larger enclosure, or some of the animals should be removed.

Spiny mice are usually kept indoors in terrariums. Minimum size of a terrarium for a pair is 80x40x60cm. Exhibits, however, should have a minimum surface of about 1 m². The enclosure should be well structured with rocks and branches and must contain sleeping dens and hiding opportunities. Hay and straw should be provided as nesting material. The floor should be covered with sand, in off-exhibit enclosures other suitable substrates, e.g. straw pellets, may be used. There should be several feeding bowls. Water should be provided in a drinking bottle positioned in a way that it cannot be chewed by the mice . A minimum temperature of 15ºC should be maintained, in places higher (radiators). The day phase should be around 12 hours.

The diet consists of cereals and other seeds supplemented with fruit and vegetables (tomatoes should not be offered because they contain oxalic acid which may damage the mice’s kidneys). In addition, spiny mice need animal protein, e.g. shrimp pellets, live meal worms, snails etc.