Is it really that shocking?

[PixieSticksandTricks]

Today I went to pick up some toys for the girls today at Petco. I had gotten three different packs of chew toys, a couple new ladders, and a couple balls for them to run in.

Twice I was told by employees how it was so great how well I treat my mice. And how their fate is usually nowhere near as kind. And then there was a woman behind me in line at the check out and she heard me talking to the cashier about my mice (and other animals).

She spoke up and said "she didn't know that mice were smart enough to play or clean enough to handle. And weren't they mean"?

I told her that clearly they are smart enough to learn how to play. I pointed out that they are much smarter than people give them credit for. I also told her that my mice were perfectly friendly and since they were females without a musky smell.

She was shocked and said she only ever thought of them as feeders and pests

Why is it so shocking/surprising that mice have personalities, feelings, and learning ability? I wish more people would give the little critters more of a chance.

 

[Fran101]

its just a bad stigma they get... same with rats, hamsters, and other little critters. the first thing out of peoples mouths is "THEY BITE!" "THEY'RE MEAN!" "THEY'RE DUMB!" "THEY SMELL!" which is untrue for the majority if treated nicely

I sure didn't know mice were friendly or even cute until I had a friend who treated them properly and you could really see that they did have little personalities and we pretty smart!

p.s: do the little girls really not have a smell?

and more pictures! naoooo lol especially of the lil choclate minpin girl lol

 

[PixieSticksandTricks]

I sure didn't know mice were friendly or even cute until I had a friend who treated them properly and you could really see that they did have little personalities and we pretty smart!

p.s: do the little girls really not have a smell?

and more pictures! naoooo lol especially of the lil choclate minpin girl lol

I didn't know much about mice. And then when I was 13 I got my first male mouse. He was typical black but had such an expressive face. I ended up getting my dad to build him a huge enclosure to play and climb in.

He lived until an ancient 2 1/2 half years.

I then adopted a broken RY (recessive yellow) male named Cow Tail (like the candy). He was extremely intellegent and answered to his name, could be allowed free range, and could be taught tricks.

So I knew they were adorable and smart before I got my girls.

I have to say females almost no smell at all. Nowhere near as musky male mice can be. But I used to put a drop of vanilla in my males water and that cut down on their stink. Females also tend not to get a greasy coat. Which some hormonal males can.

I think I prefer owning females. They are a tiny bit smaller than males. But can live in a large family group. A neutered male could be introduced too without problems. Male mice unless from the same litter almost never work out living together.

I am keeping an eye out for a interesting colored buck to keep in his own 10 gallon tank. Boys are very charming.


I have some new pics and video I need to upload. AND I ended up taking on a 4th female. My aunt has 10+ rescue mice (she is where I got Stuart from). And she had a doe who over a month ago had a surprise litter. I am expanding the size of their tank soon and QT (quarantine)takes 3 weeks. And so I ended up bringing home a adorable agouti female with a piebald tail.

Lol so pics are most definately on the way.

 

[Whisper]

Mice and rats are VERY smart. I've seen videos of what rats can do in learning experiments, and it's really cool.

I think some people are also just creeped out by them. I love rats/mice/hamsters, but my mom is scared of them. When she thinks of a rat, she thinks of a wild rat carrying diseases. I think of pet rats riding on your shoulder.

I want mice one day.