Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering... if mice had the correct conditions and substrate would they dig burrows? I'm going to use the new Zoo Med "Excavator" Clay Burrowing Substrate for my arachnids... and I was wondering if I put mice in a spacious, naturalistic setup and use that for the substrate, would they create burrows to rear young in or just call home. I really do like mice a lot, but I've always liked to make my animal set ups as natural as possible, for all species... whether they are reptiles, bugs or mammals. I've had mice before with great success, but always with the "generic bark shaving substrate, running wheel, cutesy wooden hide box" set up. I'd like to try something different. Any advice would be appreciated.

I have not heard of it done before but I wouldn't use that excuvator clay stuff. Regular domesticated mice are not made to dig in hard clay and I think taht stuff is pretty coarse as well. Not even sure if it will be safe for reptiles, due to possible ingestion and dust issues.

Anyway, i can see mice borrowing in a more forest soil type setup, with a well packed soil,peat, coconut husk type mix with some form of cyprus mulch on top, or leaf/grass litter. However, excessive dampness would be my concern, not to mention difficulties in keeping it all clean. A bioactive substrate would break down wastes naturally so cage cleaning wouldn't be needed very often but bio active soils do need to be 'stirred up' once in awhile to keep it active. Mice may do enough digging and foraging about the cage to do this naturally.

I don't know for sure if mice in the wild would dig deep burrows or use hollows, shadow burrows under logs or between roots, or holes made in logs by other animals instead. It will definitely have to be deep enough to avoid predators...so some mice may have rather extensive burrows.

Sounds like an interesting thing to do, though it will take more work and probably a larger cage than typical for a couple mice, to give them depth to dig.
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PHLdyPayne

This is exactly what I've been wanting to find more information about too! I've been to dozens of forums and boards trying to find more info about it too.

I was thinking something more along the lines of Eco-Earth, it's generally found in the reptiles section of the pet store. It's 100% coconut fiber, and is sterile, or if you're really worried you can bake it to be totally sure there's nothing in it. I've used it for my hermit crabs to grow sprouts in though and never had a problem with it. As long as it's kept slighty moist it's exactly like dirt in nearly every way. I was also thinking of possibly putting in built in plastic tubing for tunnels incase they couldn't dig as far as they'd like, and also as a precaution of collapse of tunnels that they would dig. I was also thinking of maybe growing edible plants, maybe some grasses, since I've grown plants in Eco-Earth before I know that it is possible to. I'd love to hear if you've tried anything yet, I've only been thinking of it and haven't tried it myself yet.