Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey All,

i was curious if you could answer some questions for me about Swiss Webster Mice.

First off, on average what is a litter size?
can they rear all those babies?
What is the scientific name?
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Positive Thoughts Equal Positive Results

First off, on average what is a litter size? 8-10

can they rear all those babies? Yes, they have 12 nipples and they will share litters if there are multiple females lactating in the same cage.

What is the scientific name? Mus musculus is the scientific name for domestic mice. Swiss Webster is the strain.

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Shannon in Reno
2.3 dogs
1.0 cat
Bunch O fancy rats and mice
50 something chickens
0.1 Black rat snake
0.2 Albino corn snakes
0.1 Chissel tooth kangaroo rat
0.1 Rosy Boa
0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa
1.0 Amazing Boyfriend

The Swiss Webster strain was selectively bred for large litters, and allegedly they are supposed to have litter sizes in the 20s.

I have never had any that I was positive were pure swiss webster, but I have had albino mice that average litters in the high teens, 17-19.

I have pure strain Swiss Websters. I have had them for about 15 years. I originally bought 5 males and 25 females from SAS in New York. At last count I have produced approx 30,000 mice from the original 30.

I have selectively bred my group for large litters and good mothers. I average 18 per litter that reach weanling size. It is not uncommon for the litter to be one or two bigger than that but you loose a couple along the way.

The mothers, who have 5 pairs of nipples, divide the babies into different piles to nurse them in shifts.
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Wade's Weptiles & Wodents