Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can mice and rats be housed together

Thanks,
Miller

>>Can mice and rats be housed together
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Miller
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

Sonjya, thanks a lot for your quick response

Miller

Actually, they can live together if done correctly. Normally, Rats will happily eat even an adult mouse, however I have had success in getting rat moms to rear orphaned mice fuzzies and the mice reached adulthood amoung the rats fine. This is probably the only time a rat and mouse can be together without the rat eating it. Don't think I would let the mice breed and raise litters with the rats though, cause the mouse litters may wind up being eaten.

>>Actually, they can live together if done correctly. Normally, Rats will happily eat even an adult mouse, however I have had success in getting rat moms to rear orphaned mice fuzzies and the mice reached adulthood amoung the rats fine. This is probably the only time a rat and mouse can be together without the rat eating it. Don't think I would let the mice breed and raise litters with the rats though, cause the mouse litters may wind up being eaten.

I have seen that happen a few times. But just as many times I have seen a rat mom adopt a litter of mice or hamsters, nursed them for a while and then one day eat them all. Maybe when she just skipped the maternal and kicked back into other instincts. It isn't the way to bet. And, as you said, not likely you could get them to reproduce together.
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

I am trying to find specs on a mouse rack system (do you know of any?). I thought of using it for both mice and rats, but I think I will stick with the mice. Thanks for the followup post.

Miller

You shouldn't have problems housing mice and rats on the same rack system in separate bins. I kept mice and rats in the same room and both bred quite happily even though there was only about 2 feet separating the rat bins from the mice bins. Putting them all in the same bin is what will cause problems.

I know you can get some racks that have larger rat bins on the bottom and mice bins ontop or any other order...just can't remember the name of the company that makes them. However, they are expensive.

Yea, I will not do that seems like a lot of work. I am however trying to find specs on a mouse breeding rack system. Do you know of anyone that has specs I can follow?

Thanks again,
Miller

>>Yea, I will not do that seems like a lot of work. I am however trying to find specs on a mouse breeding rack system. Do you know of anyone that has specs I can follow?
>>
>>Thanks again,
>>Miller

Here is one that a couple people I know liked. I haven't tried it yet. But Dwight is generally a reliable guy. I think Clay Davenport may have one on his site too....but not sure

www.arbreptiles.com/
http://www.dwightgood.com/snakes/projects.htm

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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

Thanks for the links!
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Miller
0.1 Florida King