Egyptian spiny mice...

[CJR]

Does anyone have any experience with these guys? They came to me in a dream the other night and I would really like to get a few - but I need to know as much about them as possible first. I've been researching them, but there isn't much info out there. Anyone have any personal experience?

 

[CJR]

:bump1:

 

[~SG~]

I have no idea what these things are but I want pics when you get them!

 

[Dragonflye]

I have two females, sisters. I got them from a rat rescue in Maine a couple of years ago. They are very cute and live in an aquarium with a cage topper. I use aspen litter have 2 silent spinner wheels in their cage and plenty of tunnels. They aren't super friendly with me, but they love each other. They prefer warmer temps., unlike chins.

They originate from desert areas and don't drink a whole lot and pee alot and get stinky like regular mice. I clean their cage every 2 1/2ish weeks. I can try to get pics, but like chins, they are very fast so the pics come out blurry.

 

[CJR]

Nikki, don't they chew the plastic? I know they aren't very friendly and I know they like warmth... I'm getting an under-the-tank heating pad for them. I figured they'd be "mouse television" more than a cuddle buddy. Do they shred things? Do they chew a lot?

 

[3CsMommy]

What little I know is from people who breed them for reptile food, but like most undomesticated mice, they're less "lovey" than Fancy mice, etc. They need warm temperatures, same sex pairs (and might be a bit territorial iirc), lab block food, and good ventilation. I think they're primarily nocturnal too...

 

[Dragonflye]

Nikki, don't they chew the plastic? I know they aren't very friendly and I know they like warmth... I'm getting an under-the-tank heating pad for them. I figured they'd be "mouse television" more than a cuddle buddy. Do they shred things? Do they chew a lot?

Jewel and Jemma have not chewed their wheels- sounds strange, I know. They have a couple of "chube" (thick cardboard) tubes and have shredded them a little, but I have had the same ones for a while now and they are in decent shape. They do enjoy the wood chews that I give to the chins, but don't seem to be voracious chewers. They do love to run on their wheels.

They don't seem to be that nocturnal, as they are always up and climbing around their cage when I get home from work...

ETA: Favorite food/treat: JustPeas- dried peas...