New mouse owner needs help with a few things...?

Question

I went to the pet store today, intending to get a hamster. However, there were not many hamsters, so after many questions to the owner, I bought an adorable baby mouse.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/bagel_girl/100_0679.jpg .. .. . .

I have a few questions for more experienced owners:

1) After some additional research, I found that it would be a good idea to have 2 mice, not just one (I was thinking about syrian hamsters at the store, which like to be alone, and didn't think to ask about this). I need some help determining the baby's gender in order to go and pick up one of his/her siblings. If anyone could help, I'd appreciate it - here's some pictures, sorry if they are blurry:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/bagel_girl/100_0699.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/bagel_girl/100_0698.jpg

He/she is about a week old.

2)His/her left eye is not open as wide as the right eye. Why could this be?

Thanks!

These pics look at little better:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/bagel_girl/100_0699-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/bagel_girl/100_0698-1.jpg

I now know, from talking to more experience owners, that Scabbers is about 4 weeks old, based on his/her development. His/her eyes are open, and he/she eats solid food with no problem - he loves the seeds! :)

Answer 1

Your mouse is over 2 weeks old; I know mice that well. And it shouldn't have been separated from its mother until 3 weeks, but if it's eating solid food and gets a good diet, and is warm enough, I guess you're okay.
It is really cute. Make sure to give it a running wheel.

Answer 2

I too am a new mouse owner times 2. Are you sure about the age, they can't sell them until their 6 weeks old. A week old mouse hasn't even weaned yet, not until it's 4 weeks old. This one seems to be about 8-12 weeks. Mine are smaller then this one and their 6-7 weeks. I couldn't see the good picture well enough, just in case, keep an eye on the left one and seek vet attention if it starts to ooze or seals shut. In the mean time try putting a warm moist cotton ball on it for a few minutes or however long it will let you. It may be the mouse has a spec of dirt in it or worst an eye infection or it could be notheing to worry about in the end. Always call a vet when in doubt on any medical questions. My hamsters go to the vet for illness and injuries if I not sure or can't handle things.
If you like a Syrian hamster also, like you originally intended, this could work if you get a baby one (6-10 weeks). Most all our Syrians room with Dwarf hamsters. We never worry about mixing the sexes with Syrians and Dwarfs, genetically incompatible.
To tell the sex, look at the genitals, if the privates are close to the tail- female, further away- male , also the male will have the signs of his testicles beginning to show. You can always take it with you and have the pet store tell you when you pick out the room mate. Our pet store keep theirs separate.
Last week on Friday I bought my oldest daughter (17) a pair of mice for breeding (she has a snake), the female got away a few hours later while she was handling her and vanished. We have 14 cats and figured she was gone/dead. Sunday, we came home and my youngest (10) I was going to surprise her with the mice, got her own surprise. There in her Teddy bear hamster's cage, curled up with the hamster was the mouse. She had gotten hungry and thirsty. However, the cage is on top of their bunk beds which is made of wood is a wire one (so glad for that) and she just climbed in there and fell asleep.

I've given you a few sites to look into on mice. I'm going to read them too for information,

Answer 3

Dont get another mouse. I got two that had been together sence birth and they ended up KILLING eachother. One mouse is MUCH better.
Youll need to get it a little house to hide in and some cotton balls for it to make a nice nest out of. Its going to need a bowl of food and little toys to play with. Change its bedding once a week, Its best to use aspen pine with small rodents. ALSO, Do not leave the cage uncovored because the mouse will jump out when it gets bigger. When you cover it put a heavyish object on top of the lid to ensure security. Play with your mouse a lot and make sure to socalise it or it will be a jumply mean little thing.
Hope I helped
~Sarah

Answer 4

first of all at a week old that baby is not going to survive without it's mother so who ever sold it to you figured that you were going to use if for food not a pet. it's eyes wont be fully open for another couple of days. you can get kitten milk and feed it with an oral syringe but you have to do this on a strict schedual as well as rub the baby after you feed it to make sure that the bowel empties and then clean it with a warm cloth. you'll also have to keep it warm. mice should not be sold as pets until after they are five weeks old.

Answer 5

make sure to get her a buddy, as mice are very social animals. do not feed her sugary, salty or fatty meals. Mouse nutrition, fruit and vegetables and some treats (which includes rolled oats, sunflower seeds (very fatty), unsweetened cereals and wholegrain bread) is sturdy. The cage you describe is completely to small. the ten gallon fish tank sounds sturdy. placed bedding, a drink bottle, hideouts, a lot of toys/hiking issues (at the same time with a sturdy floor wheel) and obviously nutrition in the tank. be particular it has a cord mesh lid for air flow and too avert escaping. sparkling out the cage (at the same time with toys) a minimum of two times per week, and see sparkling on a on a daily basis foundation. Please bear in mind that mice are very sensible little critters and opt to be inspired with a lot of toys and variety. in addition they LOVE hiking. some toys can contain bathroom paper rolls, ladders, a wheel, bathroom paper/tissues (they love shredding them for nests) and also you may want to discover a lot of sturdy toys at puppy shops.

Answer 6

yes, i think every rodent except hamsters like to have a friend, and are social. it would be a good idea to get him/her a friend. no matter how much time you spend with it, it doesn't replace the fact that there's no one to groom it, sleep with it, and play with it.

mice's eyes often open one at a time, same as gerbils, and since he's only a week old, then that's most likely the case.
best of luck with your new liitle mouse!!

Answer 7

Too blurry for me to tell for sure, but it looks male to me. You'll know soon enough. =) Mice like company, if you spend a lot of time with it, it won't be too terribly lonely. I never had a problem introducing young males with no females present to fight over. Just be sure of the sex before you chose the new playmate or you may be quickly surprised by all the new mouths to feed.

-well wishes

Answer 8

its sounds like the mouse is to young to leave its mother. try giving it soft food, if it is not eating solid food. full fat milk may help. I used to work in a pet shop where they breed mice, males smell more then females

Answer 9

This Is Helpful !! http://www.spinymice.com/femalegenitals.jpg

Answer 10

Hope this helps!