How to Care for Hopping Mice!

Learn all about the basics of caring for Spinifex and Mitchell's Hopping Mice, including food, enrichment, breeding and enclosure specifics :)

[@j.kapiris]

Great video! I was thinking about getting them as a pet and think they're perfect for me.

[@Chia897]

I highly recommend it! Good luck if you end up getting some :)

[@gotterdammerung5527]

Just caught one in my yard today. I've definitely seen it around before but today I just decided to catch it and the little guy was feisty but in the few moments I held him I kind of wanted to keep him safe considering I have a lot of cats so this video is great help

[@lachiegourlay7539]

very informative!! thank u!!!

[@ShinobitheCat]

Great video. Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

[@caitlynkirwan6532]

lov this lov u,, feelin EQUIPPED

[@jamesosullivan2064]

Thanks for your video. You didn't mention anything about the climate and heating of your setup. We're in Sydney and don't heat our home. Should we provide heating within our setup?

[@Chia897]

hi, i provide heat mats 24/7 over the colder months on 1/3 or less of the enclosure. I've found it helps mitigate respiratory symptoms, especially when the weather begins to change to cold. I dont think its necessary exactly but I definitely think it helps keep them healthy.

[@jeremyosullivan7619]

@@Chia897 Hi I saw your reply to the above comment and was wondering how you protect your heat mat cables

[@Chia897]

@@jeremyosullivan7619 hi, the heatmats are on the bottom of the glass so there is no direct contact with the mice. I'd advise doing it that way for safety, it prevents damage and overheating.

[@jeremyosullivan7619]

@@Chia897 sorry under are they in the tank or under it because my base about 1.5 to 2 cm, any suggestions thanks j

[@TylerRavensak]

Do they need lighting or heating?

[@Chia897]

Nope! As they get older when its cold I put a heat mat under them, since cold temps can trigger respiratory infections but aside from that they don't need anything

[@TylerRavensak]

@@Chia897 Thanks

[@alexmcmaster1]

How often do you clean their cage? Is it a big job?

[@Chia897]

Every 1 to 2 weeks, it takes between half an hour to an hour depending on if I'm deep cleaning their wheels etc

[@montanaanderson9993]

How many should i get and what gender

[@Tadpoletofrogs]

Do they have a bad smell like male mice?

[@Chia897]

They do have a smell, though it is much less potent. I find it completely unnoticable if the bedding is cleaned at least fortnightly. :)

[@becwalsh7375]

We would love to get on of them

[@tarynsteele5706]

Will you be making more videos on hopping mice?

[@Chia897]

I am planning to yes!

[@tarynsteele5706]

@@Chia897 look forward to watching them :)

[@clownboy3879]

Can they live with fancy mice?

[@Chia897]

I haven't tried this personally and would not recommend it, however I have heard of success stories from other owners.

[@SuperShandy777]

Did u try? I'm wondering too

[@Chia897]

@@SuperShandy777 No I have not, it may be fine but it's always better to keep them with their own species if possible. It can be hard for us to know if companionship from other species can compare to companionship with their own, especially as communal animals. I'd probably recommend having at least two of each if you were going to try it, and introducing them as young animals.

[@zoiemarks]

I recently received two hopping mice that aren't very friendly and very scared. This is weird to me bc my first two hopping mice were very friendly, what do you think is the best method for taming them?

[@Chia897]

Food is the way to any animals heart! You need to let them get used to you at their pace, try things like putting treats on your hands and letting them come get them. Keep in mind though, if they aren't friendly it's likely because they weren't handled when they were young, so it may be difficult to tame them down.

[@zoiemarks]

@@Chia897 Wow! Very quick reply ahaha. I already do handle them alot, and give them smooches and let them sleep in my hoodie. They are usually pretty fine when im holding them but they are very scared when I try to get them out of the enclosure

[@TylerRavensak]

Do you need a nest box for them?

[@Chia897]

They need at least one form of hide, preferably more, and nest boxes work great for this! I wouldn't say there are necessary, but definitely a good addition!

[@Au8._.r3y]

Are you allowed to keep them in the USA?

[@Chia897]

Unfortunately no, as Australia has very strict import and export laws to protect our native wildlife!

[@SuperShandy777]

This is hopping mad lol