African Spiny Mice
(Acomys cahirinus)
This was Blossom, Bubble and Buttercup...(The PowerPuff Girls!-it's not on tv anymore but google it, it's awesome!)
They were African Spiney Mice and were very hard to get hold of. I had been on the look out for years! They are absolutely hilarious and are enjoying being very nosey in their massive cage in the hallway. This gives them a chance to see all the action in the house, and is super warm as they have a heat lamp. They are very fast and jumpy but very friendly and will take a food pellet from your hand.
They are a scientific marvel as they can regenerate missing or damaged skin to a much higher level than other mammals. I have found it hard to find care sheets for them, there are plenty of science papers about them though! I have discovered they like to hoard and bury food. Maybe they do that in the wild when food is scarce to eat later? If I am late feeding them in the evening, they throw all their furniture down the ramp in their cage as it makes a big banging noise. I could watch them for hours, they are very very funny..
Fascinating fact: They have spines a bit like hedgehogs on their backs (but slightly softer).
Update: I only have Blossom left now as the others have died of old age. Blossom is 6 years old so is a very old mouse indeed...She is in good health but has earned the right to retire from Frazoo. She still enjoys watching the world go by in her big cage in the corridor and still enjoys a bit of apple or a wax worm as a treat!
Further update: Blossom finally passed away aged 7 and a half, she was buried with fresh grass, flowers and mouse treats just past the footbridge on the Dart, renamed Blossom Bay...
Final update: I'm on the lookout for a new mammal species...watch this space...
They were African Spiney Mice and were very hard to get hold of. I had been on the look out for years! They are absolutely hilarious and are enjoying being very nosey in their massive cage in the hallway. This gives them a chance to see all the action in the house, and is super warm as they have a heat lamp. They are very fast and jumpy but very friendly and will take a food pellet from your hand.
They are a scientific marvel as they can regenerate missing or damaged skin to a much higher level than other mammals. I have found it hard to find care sheets for them, there are plenty of science papers about them though! I have discovered they like to hoard and bury food. Maybe they do that in the wild when food is scarce to eat later? If I am late feeding them in the evening, they throw all their furniture down the ramp in their cage as it makes a big banging noise. I could watch them for hours, they are very very funny..
Fascinating fact: They have spines a bit like hedgehogs on their backs (but slightly softer).
Update: I only have Blossom left now as the others have died of old age. Blossom is 6 years old so is a very old mouse indeed...She is in good health but has earned the right to retire from Frazoo. She still enjoys watching the world go by in her big cage in the corridor and still enjoys a bit of apple or a wax worm as a treat!
Further update: Blossom finally passed away aged 7 and a half, she was buried with fresh grass, flowers and mouse treats just past the footbridge on the Dart, renamed Blossom Bay...
Final update: I'm on the lookout for a new mammal species...watch this space...