How long do spiny mice live. Spiny mouse. Description and domestication. Description of the appearance of the needle mouse - akomisa
Taxonomy
Russian name - Eagle mouse, akomis
Latin name - Acomys cahirinus
English name - Cairo spiny mouse
Class - Mammals (Mammalia)
Order - Rodents (Rodentia)
Family - Mice (Muridae)
Genus - Eagle mice (Acomys)
In the genus of needle mice, taxonomists distinguish 3 subgenera and about 20 species.
Species status in nature
The species is common in nature.
View and person
Animals often settle near humans, in houses. Hobbyists often keep needle mice at home, as they are easy to care for and breed well in captivity. They are also bred in laboratories.
Distribution and habitats
Eagle mice are found almost throughout Africa, Arabia and the Middle East. They live in savannas and semi-deserts, inhabit rocky outcrops, sometimes occupy termite mounds. Burrows serve as shelters; often use burrows of other rodents.
Appearance
The appearance is typically mouse. Body length 7-12.5 cm, tail 6-12.5 cm, weight 11-90 g. The muzzle is elongated with large beady eyes and a rather large nose in the middle of a magnificent fan of mustache. The ears are large and rounded. The tail is almost hairless. The foot is wide. The back is covered with hair with a predominance of stiff bristles of pale yellow, reddish-black, reddish or dark gray color, the ventral side with soft white hair.
The peculiarity of these mice is the extreme "fragility" of the tail, which is easily broken off when the animal falls into the paws of a predator, similar to what happens in lizards. However, unlike lizards, the tail does not grow back, so the mouse can save its life in this way only once. In needle mice, the skin is several times less durable than in other members of the mouse family. If you grab the skin, then a piece of skin comes off, and a scar does not form at the site of the wound, as is usually the case in mammals, but complete regeneration occurs. First, epithelial cells migrate to the surface of the wound, and then an accumulation of embryonic-like cells forms under them, from which full-fledged hair follicles grow.
Lifestyle and social behavior
They are active at twilight, and also periodically leave their burrows at night. These are terrestrial animals, but they often climb trees well.
Animals are social, live in groups. A colony of needle mice is formed from one pair, strangers are expelled.
Diet and feeding behavior
Eagle mice are omnivores, but prefer plant foods, especially cereal grains.
Reproduction and parenting behavior
The breeding season lasts from February to September. The gestation period is about 42 days, which is significantly longer than in other types of mice. Therefore, cubs are born more developed - immediately in the fur, the eyes open on the very first day. They weigh about 7 grams at birth. There are from one to five pups in the litter, on average 3.
The mother feeds the babies for 2 weeks. Sometimes the female can carry the mice on her to another nest if they are in danger. Needle mice are very caring mothers and are fiercely protective of their babies. Therefore, even to a completely tame female, if she has cubs, you should not stick your hands into the nest - it will bite painfully.
Young mice become adults at the age of several weeks.
Life span
They live in captivity for about 3 years, but there were cases when the animals lived up to 5 years. In nature, of course, it is less, since many predators are hunted.
History of Life at the Zoo
You can see the needle mice in the "Night World" pavilion in the Old Territory of the zoo, in the aviary where they are kept together with the Cape striders. There is a specially created slide for mice with numerous entrances and exits that lead to burrows. A large group of mice lives in the aviary. At times, females show aggression towards males, such males become outcasts, settle in the far part of the enclosure, and they have to be removed.
Needle mice are not difficult to keep in a zoo, and they breed well in captivity. Spiny mice have lived in the Moscow Zoo for over 20 years.
The daily diet of spiny mice includes oats, millet, chopped fruits and vegetables, wheat bread, sunflower seeds, cottage cheese, insects, chicken eggs, and vitamin and mineral supplements.
Eagle mice, otherwise akomis (Acomys cahirinus) - representatives of the subfamily deomiinovye, the family of the mouse order rodents. They live in Saudi Arabia, Africa, in forward Asia, on the islands of Crete and Cyprus. They prefer semi-deserts, dry savannas and rocky and rocky areas.
Akomis - freaky mouse: description
Akomis is a very unusual animal. It looks like a large mouse, but at the genetic level it is more like a gerbil - a separate subspecies of rodents. The animal has a cute narrow muzzle, large dark eyes and round movable ears; vibrissae are rather long. On the back, needles grow, almost like a hedgehog, of a pale yellow, reddish - or gray-brown color. The rest of the body is covered with white or brown hair. Akomis' legs are short, however, it moves quickly.
The word "akomis" itself is Greek and consists of two parts: acro ("sharp point") or akanthos ("thorn") plus mus ("mouse"). It turns out a "spiny mouse". And the needles in this case are not a figure of speech, but reality! And even if these needles cannot be compared with hedgehogs (in fact, these are just very thick and coarse hair), but this detail gives akomis a completely unique look. And if the seller shows you a lovely mouse without thorns, assuring you that they are "characteristic only for males", "will be visible after molting" or even "they shouldn't be, just a strange name" - don't believe it! It's just not akomis in front of you. He always has some kind of needles.Scientists have not figured out why the animal has grown this - it cannot really defend itself with their help. The most, perhaps, realistic version says that the unusual structure of the coat prevents the predator from swallowing the rodent - it simply gets up across the throat of an owl or snake. This makes Akomisa a very unattractive food and helps the population to survive.
And also akomis knows how to throw off its tail like a lizard. Brittle scaly tail - in a critical situation it remains the prey of a predator, and akomis flees. Here are just akomis's tail, unlike a lizard, alas, no longer grows. So, in no case should you grab the akomis by the tail. The tail will simply come off!
These rodents are born very independent and already at 14 days old can leave their mother and move to a new owner. And in two months they will already be able to bring their own offspring! The animals grow quite quickly - on average up to 8-10, and taking into account the tail, up to 20 centimeters.
5 interesting facts about needle mice
- The appearance of akomis dates back to the late Miocene (5-11 million years ago) - this is how long these rodents trample the Earth.
- Eagle mice are considered the destroyers of Egyptian tombs: they encroached on sacred things and gnawed at the mummies of the pharaohs!
- IN scientific fields The acomis are considered an ideal model for studying diabetes and obesity in humans.
- In nature, needle mice can reach speeds of up to 15 km / h.
- In large families of akomis, the system of "nannies" is adopted, i.e. females care not only about their own, but also about other people's offspring. It is interesting that for the animal kingdom it is very rare.
Keeping akomis at home
In the last 10-15 years, these animals have become very popular pets in Europe and America, while in Russia akomis are only gaining sympathy for exotic lovers. They are good-looking, not aggressive (although if they sense danger, they can bite very painfully). It is easy and pleasant to look after them, and unlike the same hamsters, rats and usual mice, they are very clean and do not have a specific smell. However, they are tamed with difficulty and do not particularly like when they are taken in hand.
Acomis are very family animals. Therefore, it is better to start a flock of rhinestones, or at least at least two individuals - alone, the needle mouse quickly begins to wither.
Animals are active at night, early in the morning and late in the evening. At night, they can interfere with rustling, squeaking and other sounds - keep this in mind when choosing a place for a cage with these creatures.
Home for spiny mice
You can put rodents in plastic terrarium or an aquarium closed on top with a fine mesh net, but with such a content, problems with ventilation, temperature and humidity of the air are possible, and, in addition, it is more difficult to clean the aquarium. Therefore, a cage is best suited as a housing for needle mice, to which a number of requirements are imposed:
- firstly, it must be made of non-chewable materials;
- secondly, it should be spacious enough (the minimum cage size for a pair of mice is 40x40x60 cm), and the size of the cage cells should be no more than 1x1 cm; young mice can crawl through even the smallest holes;
- it is desirable that the cage is easily disassembled for washing and cleaning;
- the housing should contain everything necessary for the mice (a feeder, a drinker, a running wheel, a shelter house, bedding, as well as all kinds of transitions, ladders, tunnels, etc.).
To fill the bottom of the cage, you can use corn filler, sand, dry crushed bark.
How to feed the Akomis?
Spiny mice are undemanding in food. They eat seeds, grains (oats, barley, wheat, millet), they love plant stems, various fruits and dried fruits, berries, they do not disdain crushed egg shells (a source of calcium). Nuts are very respected - walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, etc.
When feeding a spiky mouse, remember that it needs animal protein. Offer mealworms, grasshoppers, feed cockroaches to your pet once a week. In the absence of such, you can replenish the protein with boiled egg, low-fat cottage cheese, food for dogs or cats, boiled liver, chicken and lean fish.
To grind off constantly growing incisors, the animals need to be given branches (maple, willow, apple tree, cherry tree are suitable).
It is recommended to feed needle mice 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening. For one feeding, the pet is given approximately 1 teaspoon of feed (depending on age and body weight). Do not be afraid to overfeed them - rodents have moderate appetite and overeating, as a rule, is not typical for them.
Remember to change the water daily and keep the trough clean.
With good care, akomis can delight their owner for about five years, although an eight-year long-lived akomis is also officially registered!
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The spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) is a rodent from the mouse family, suborder deomin. Often these animals are simply called akomis.
Spiny mouse appearance
These amazing species of animals are about fourteen centimeters long, including the tail, which, by the way, is about half the length of the animal. The weight of an adult Akomis ranges from 40 to 48 grams. Perhaps the most characteristic feature these mice are "needles" growing on their backs. Typically, these needles are colored pale yellow. However, sometimes reddish brown and dark gray needles are found. The body is colored brown or light sandy and depends on the age of the mouse: the older it is, the darker the lower part of the body. The chest and abdomen of the needle mouse are covered with white and softer hair. Sexually mature males have a longer fur compared to females and immature males, which in appearance looks like a kind of mane. The akomis' tail is scaly and extremely brittle.
Eagle mice are unusual animals, only outwardly they look like mice. The spiny mouse muzzle is narrow, the eyes are large and dark, the bead-like ears are extremely mobile, round, large and erect. Akomis vibrissae are distinguished by their great length, which is a significant evolutionary advantage. The hind legs of needle mice are short and have a wide foot.
Spiny mouse physiology
Since the needle mouse belongs to the order of rodents, the structure of their body is practically indistinguishable from the device of other representatives of this order.
Characteristic feature spiny mouse, however, like some other species, is that they, like some lizards, can throw off their tail in case of danger. The reason for this is the extreme fragility of the tail. In view of this, many naturally occurring needle mice have acquired short-tails.
The needle mouse reaches puberty at about three months of age, but in some cases they become capable of reproduction as early as two months. The mating season begins in the last days of February and ends in September.
The gestation period is 42 days, after which the female gives birth to one to three mice. In some cases, their number can be up to five. On average, each cub weighs 5-6 grams.
Newborn needle-shaped babies are completely independent, have open eyes, and the body is covered not only with hair, but also with needles, which, however, are soft during the first days of life. The head of newborn mice is large, the legs are long, and the body is small. Immediately after birth, the mice get up and, although they begin to walk, they do it awkwardly, and often fall.
By the time they reach about three weeks of age, the little spiny mice are able to maintain their own body temperature. For comparison, their peers belonging to other species will need the warmth of the mother's body for a long time.
For two weeks, the mother takes care of the cubs, feeding them milk and carefully licking them. Throughout this period, the cubs do not leave the shelter, and only after they have matured a little, they, leaving the shelter, will begin to explore the adjacent territories. At about the same age, mice begin to eat the same food as adult needle mice. If the need arises, babies can do without breast milk from the sixth day of life, but if the mother is around, they can suckle milk for the first three weeks.
Spiny mice spread
Akomis is home to Western Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, Crete, Cyprus and most of the African continent.
Spiny mice live in such dry areas as semi-deserts and savannas, preferring sandy and rocky areas. Akomis are hiding in holes arranged in cracks of rocks and among stone placers. On the territory of Africa, you can often see how spiny mice adapt empty termite mounds for their homes.
Currently, these animals are free-living representatives of the African and Asian ecosystems. They can also be found in southern Europe. But as pets, mud mice live almost all over the world.
Life of needle mice in their natural habitat
Spiny mice are most active at dawn and dusk. In the daytime, they do not leave shelters, waiting for the heat to subside. They occupy the empty burrows of other rodents and dig small depressions in the ground. I must say that they themselves are not capable of building deep holes and passages. Very often they use cracks in rocks and empty spaces between stones as a house.
Eagle mice are excellent at climbing trees, but if they find any danger, they hide in their hiding places. If there is no way to hide, needle mice flee. In one day, a needle mouse can run up to 15 kilometers. If an animal is cornered, it tries to swell by raising the needles to appear larger and scare the enemy.
Spiny mice live in groups, adhering to the matriarchal form of social structure. The head of the family is the alpha female. Males have their own hierarchy, which is determined by arranging battles.
Apart from the battles between males, the spiny mice are an example of the utmost peacefulness. There are no conflicts between members of an established group even for food. Moreover, all members not only sleep together, but also look after each other. If this or that female is not busy looking after her cubs, she helps other females during childbirth and in raising offspring. Often, orphaned mice are fed by other females. Moving to a new habitat, adult animals carry both their young and strangers, and jointly organize a new shelter. Such accomplished social devices and behavior are fixed in mice not at the level of the mind, but at the level of instinct, which allows animals to survive even in the most severe semi-desert conditions. However, it should be noted that this social structure persists only if the needle mice are closely related to each other.
The spiny mouse is an extremely clean animal. They monitor the condition of their coat very carefully. Moreover, no less carefully they monitor the cleanliness of their relatives' fur coats. For this reason, Akomis minks are always clean, like their cubs. I must also say that the toilet of a needle mouse is always visited in a strictly defined place.
The main natural enemies of needle mice are predatory mammals, reptiles and birds. In addition, they are in a competitive relationship with gerbils for food supply.
In matters of nutrition, akomis are characterized by unpretentiousness, and they can eat both plant and animal food. However, despite being omnivorous, cereals and grains are preferred.
Their natural diet consists mainly of grasses, grains, shoots of soil plants, and arthropods such as snails and insects. If there are juicy foods available, needle mice become completely independent of water sources.
Akomis feed in certain, well-protected places where food debris accumulates or plants grow.
Keeping needle mice at home
An important difference between spiny mice and other domestic rodents, such as rats, mice and hamsters, is that they are virtually devoid of unpleasant odors. For keeping akomis at home, glass aquariums with a fine mesh net that covers the top of the aquarium are usually used. Keeping five animals requires an aquarium with a volume of at least 110 liters.
Sometimes needle mice are kept in cages with a cell of no more than 1x1 cm. This is due to the fact that needle mice are able to crawl even into very narrow cracks and holes. In doing so, special care is taken to ensure that there are no plastic objects within the reach of the mice. This requirement is due to the fact that akomis will definitely gnaw plastic, which leads to serious health problems.
An important requirement is that the mouse cage or aquarium should be in a quiet place that is protected from direct sun rays... You should also take care of the absence of drafts.
Either sand or a special filler made from corn cobs is used as filler. This is due to the fact that hay or sawdust can cause allergies in animals. The litter is changed as needed, since needle mice are extremely clean and send their natural needs only in a strictly defined place. In order for the animals to build a nest, they are given straw, hay, cotton rags, moss or white paper... The temperature inside the aquarium should be kept at 25-27 degrees while maintaining 30-50% humidity.
Of great importance for needle mice is the surface area on which they are kept. Therefore, as many snags, twigs, pipes, ropes, ladders, floors, etc. should be placed in the aquarium or cage.
A necessary element of keeping Akomis in captivity is the wheel, since it will provide the level of activity that these overactive rodents need. The diameter of the wheel must be at least thirteen centimeters. It is very important that its bottom is solid, otherwise the animal can very easily lose its tail or injure its paw.
Spiny mice are best kept in small groups. Young mice are tamed extremely quickly, but if they lack communication with the owner, they run wild as quickly as they were tamed. In this regard, akomis are very plastic animals. These rodents are characterized by high excitability, and they can even die from harsh and loud sounds, as well as from a careless attempt to take the animal in their arms.
When kept at home, these mice only breed if they have enough space in the aquarium. Young people are separated from their parents upon reaching the age of one month, joining the general group.
Since these animals are focused on a nocturnal lifestyle, in the daytime they behave quietly and may not appear from shelters for a long time. But at night they begin to run around the aquarium, gnaw on various objects and rustle with litter.
Acomis are completely unpretentious and omnivorous. In a home environment, their diet should include following products vegetable origin: mouse food, various grains, oats, oatmeal, dry or fresh fruits and vegetables, berries, bread crumbs, nuts, sunflower seeds, millet, wheat, canary seed, dandelion greens and some others. Animal products such as butterflies, flies, and caterpillars, mealworms, etc. are also desirable.
In no case should spruce mice be fed with fatty, peppery, salty, sweet, food for other animals and food prepared for humans. Also, 1-2 times a week Akomis are required to give branches of fruit trees, maple and willow.
There must always be clean water in the cage, even though needle mice get all the moisture they need from succulent plants. The diet of mice should be as varied as possible and you should not be afraid to overfeed the animals, since needle mice never eat more than they need.
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Exotic lovers are of great interest to an unusual animal from the Rodents squad - a spiny mouse. Due to the fact that this animal is unpretentious in food, does not have an unpleasant smell, is easily tamed, it is often kept as a pet.
Description
This small animal from the Mouse family (ranging in size from 7 to 17 cm) has other names - akomis, the needle-leaved Egyptian mouse. The weight of even adults does not exceed 50 g. The unusualness of these animals lies in the hairline, which on the back is the most real needles. The rest of the body is covered with soft sandy or brown hairs, only the belly and breast are lighter, sometimes completely white. In adult males, the fur on the head is longer, which creates a semblance of a mane.
On a narrow muzzle there are black beads of eyes and rather long vibrissae, with the help of which the animal is easily oriented in space. Rounded, very mobile ears set high. A wide foot stands out on short legs. The tail is almost the same length as the body and resembles a rat's. It is very fragile, often breaks and in wildlife helps to save the life of the animal, which drops it at the moment of danger.
The spiny mouse (the photo can be viewed on the page) lives from 3 to 8 years, depending on the conditions of detention.
Distribution locations
The homeland of these animals is Saudi Arabia, Africa, Crete and Cyprus, Western Asia. Savannah and semi-desert, dominated by rocky and sandy areas, are their favorite areas. Akomis (spiny mouse) makes nests in cracks of rocks, among stones, sometimes occupies holes of other rodents.
As pets, animals are very common today throughout the world.
Life in nature
These animals hide from enemies mainly in shelters, but in the absence of such they flee. Despite its short legs, the mouse can run up to 15 km per day. If the situation is hopeless, and there is no way to escape, the animal tries to scare away the enemy by spreading its needles, which makes it seem larger than it really is.
Akomis live in groups, each of them is headed by a female. There are practically no conflicts between members of one community. Mice show amazing care for their relatives, raising cubs together and caring for each other. Mothers are able to feed other orphaned children. These instincts help animals survive in the harsh semi-desert conditions. does not like heat, therefore active life leads mainly at night.
Constant communication with these amazing animals makes them quite tame. IN recent times mice are very often kept as pets. Considering that they live in families, it is always recommended to have several animals, where there would be at least 2 females per male. Otherwise, the annoying boyfriend will not give rest to his only chosen one. You cannot keep several males together with females at the same time, since fights will arise between them, as a result of which the animals can cripple or even kill a weaker one.
For the rest, needle-shaped mice feel great at home, and there are no particular difficulties with them. But to ensure the safety and comfortable living of the pet, you will need a specially equipped house.
Home improvement
Choosing a metal cage as a dwelling for rodents, it is necessary that the size of its cells is no more than 1 x 1 cm. An important condition for the comfortable living of akomis is the surface area. For this, all kinds of shelves, ladders, driftwood, etc. are placed in their dwelling. To satisfy the need for these animals in movement, it is necessary to install a wheel. It must be firmly attached and have solid solid walls to prevent injury to the fragile tail. Wheel diameter - at least 13 cm.
Several jars with two outlets are also placed in the cage for arranging the nest and breeding offspring. One of the most important conditions is the absence of plastic items. Mice can easily chew them, swallowing pieces, which will lead to injury. Small wooden blocks or tree branches are placed to grind the incisors.
Various materials are used as bedding - sawdust, sand, straw, dry leaves, moss. The spiny mouse is a very clean animal, equipping its toilet in one specific place. Therefore, you usually have to change the litter no more than three times a week.
A feeder and a drinking bowl with water must always be present in the cage. For this purpose, thick ceramic dishes are suitable, which the animals cannot overturn. Once a week, all items in the cage are washed with warm water and soap. The place for the dwelling of mice is chosen away from heating appliances and sunlight. Drafts should also be avoided. The most comfortable temperature for animals is 25-27 ⁰С, humidity is 30-35%.
Feeding
Spiny mice are omnivorous and completely unpretentious in food. Their maintenance therefore does not cause trouble, although it is better to diversify the diet. It is based on cereals - millet, oats, barley, wheat. Occasionally, you can pamper your pet with seeds, nuts, treat it with berries, pieces of fruit or vegetables.
Acomis need animal protein, so once a week they are given either grasshoppers. A substitute for such a delicacy is cottage cheese, yogurt, boiled egg white, boiled chicken or liver. All this is required in small quantities. Everyone knows the love of representatives of this family for cheese, but it is not recommended to give it to small pets, since this product contains components harmful to them - salt and various preservatives. Any spicy or fatty food is contraindicated for them.
The source of calcium that the needle mouse also needs is crushed eggshells. Pet stores offer special mineral stones for rodents, activated carbon and vitamin sticks. It is only necessary to first consult with a veterinarian.
Food in the trough should be constantly, since the metabolic processes in the animals proceed quickly enough. It is only important to ensure that it does not stale and spoil. The water needs to be changed daily and the trough should be kept clean.
Reproduction
From the age of three months, akomis are already considered sexually mature. 42 days after mating, the female gives birth to cubs, the weight of which is no more than 6 g. Usually there are from 1 to 3 of them, but sometimes there are 5 babies in the litter. They differ from newborns in that they are completely independent. From the very first day, a small spiny mouse can do without parents (photo is posted below).
She looks a little different than her decorative tribesmen - the body is covered with wool, soft needles on the back, the head is large, and the legs are long. The main difference is that the eyes of newborn mice are open. Toddlers immediately try to start walking. They are able to independently maintain body temperature, so they do not feel a great need for maternal warmth. Nevertheless, for another three weeks, females feed on milk. She, in turn, takes care of the cubs, carefully licks them.
At the age of one month, babies are separated from their mother into a general group of animals. Young animals are not kept completely separately, since this subsequently causes mental disorders and leads to the fact that the mice lack the skill of communicating with their own kind.
Features of behavior
The spiny mouse is a nocturnal animal. She behaves most actively in the dark. When purchasing such a pet, you need to be prepared for rustling, squeaking and other sounds at night. During the day, the animal may not even appear, resting in the burrow. The spiny mouse has an amazing ability to sleep with open eyes.
You cannot take a needle mouse by the tail - it is very brittle, and the animal can easily part with it. This also happens in case of danger. It is no coincidence that these animals with acquired short-tails are often found in nature.
Character
Eagle mice thrive best in a group. They are absolutely not aggressive, very sociable. They help each other in grooming their fur, the females raise offspring together.
Relationships with other pets do not add up to Akomis - they are always prey for cats, dogs and even birds. It is not worth the risk, letting the animals go for a walk, it is better to provide them with a spacious and safe home. If there is a cat in the house, the pallet must be properly protected, and a strong carabiner must be made on the cage.
For young children, close contact with mice can result in bites, and the pets themselves risk injury. Therefore, the cage must be placed in an inaccessible place and securely closed. Only children over 6 years old who know how to handle animals can be trusted with pets like needle mice. Care, which consists in feeding, cleaning the cage, at this age, the child is already quite capable of.
Taming
Lack of communication quickly leads to the fact that the mice run wild. They are too excitable nervous system and are able to die of fright in some cases - when they are unexpectedly picked up, as well as from loud and harsh sounds. It is necessary to accustom animals to humans from childhood, only this must be done extremely carefully, to show maximum care and attention. As a result, mice can even recognize their owner by smell, respond to a name and calmly come into their hands.
Diseases
In general, akomis (needle mice) have quite good health. How long the animals live at home depends on the quality of caring for them. The maximum age these pets can reach is 8 years. Unlike other rodents, they are less likely to suffer from problems such as of various kinds tumors. Of non-communicable diseases, obesity, metabolic disorders, otitis media, vitamin deficiency are most common. Improper feeding can lead to diseases of the digestive system.
Thanks to unusual sight spiny mice, their amazing cleanliness and lack of odor characteristic of many rodents, more and more people choose them for the role of pets.
The content of the article:
If you are looking for a pet and have an interest in the world of rodents, pay attention to such a miracle of nature as the needle mouse. This small living creature is very easy to maintain, besides, unlike many relatives, it does not emit any extraneous odors, moreover, it is easy to tame. After giving the mouse some time to adapt, as a result you will get a cute pet that will wait for your return from work and cheer you up with just one look.
Home territories and origins of the spiny mouse
If we talk about the large animal kingdom, then in no case can one refute the fact that the entire world fauna is so diverse that on the entire large planet Earth, it will not be possible to find a person who would know all its representatives in person, or at least by name ... Maybe if all animals were created on one particular day, then maybe someone would succeed, but it's no secret that every day and year in our world, on the pages of books and encyclopedias, new and new representatives of this fascinating world. Studying a wide variety of animals, sometimes one gets the impression that they all live on their own separate planet, which was created especially for them. The world of animals is an integral part of our life and the life of the Earth as a whole, because if they were not near a person, something would be wrong, someone would be missing, and this lack would be very noticeable. Perhaps for some of us our lesser friends do not constitute such a great value, but everyone would say with complete confidence that if we did not have them, our everyday life would not be so perfect.
One such piece of the world's fauna is the spiny mouse, the discovery of which dates back to 1838. People of science, who persistently studied this small animal, classified it into the class of mammals, the placental infraclass, the rodent order, the mouse family and the deomyin subfamily.
As for the native areas of these cute rodents, then, perhaps, it seems most often possible to meet them on the territory of the African continent. In addition, spiny mice are fairly widespread Saudi Arabia, Asia, namely its western part, islands near Greece. Not so large, but still populations of this species of mammals inhabit the southern part of Europe.
As their permanent place of residence, these funny animals have chosen those corners of nature that many representatives of the world fauna prefer to bypass, namely, they most of all like dry climatic conditions... Therefore, most often these rodents choose small territories of savannas, deserts and semi-deserts as their possessions, they feel quite cozy and comfortable among dry rocky embankments and in the depths of thick sands. In the African area, these tailed eccentrics do not bypass abandoned termite mounds.
Behavior of a needle mouse in open nature
Despite the fact that these little mice choose hot, dry climatic conditions for their residence, they absolutely cannot stand the scorching sun and heat, for this reason their period of activity falls at night, sometimes the animals are active in the early morning. During the daytime, these nocturnal residents prefer to hide from the hot external environment in cozy shelters, the latter can be crevices of rocks, stones or old trees. The most favorite resting place for akomis (another name for the needle mouse) are minks, previously built by other animals, since with their paws they do not take on such a difficult and dusty job.
By nature, they are very active and mobile, climb trees with pleasure and enviable dexterity, as some sources say, these mammals can run over 13-15 km during the day. In the event that the spiny mouse has sensed the approaching danger, it is not lost and proceeds to the most reliable way of self-defense, namely, flight. Where to run is another question, their directions are often - wherever their eyes look, they rarely have the ingenuity to climb a tree high, usually they try to hide in the nearest hole. But if these rodents are nevertheless overtaken by some kind of misfortune, from which it will not be possible to get away, then they are transformed in this very minute. The animal loosens its fur strongly, the more it begins to resemble a small hedgehog, but nevertheless, it seems to akomis that in this guise, he looks rather dangerous and formidable, like the most predatory animal.
By their nature, these cute rodents are very friendly and do not tolerate loneliness, therefore, in their chosen territories they usually live quite large social groups... In such mouse colonies, the female is the president. The relations between members of such a society are very peaceful, they are used to doing everything together, they are happy to share food and there are no problems, they take care of each other's appearance, thoroughly washing and combing the fur of their relative. In addition to such everyday activities, the female sex of needle mice helps other females in every possible way in the process of giving birth to babies and even if there are cubs in their society who, having lost their mothers, other females, without any questions, take on the upbringing of "orphans" and responsibility for their small lives ...
Usually, these fluffy mammals live in the same area for their entire life period, but if suddenly there is no opportunity to eat well on the territory occupied by akomis or there is a danger to life hanging over their heads, then the females can decide to urgently move. When spiny mice leave their native land, they all help each other, including transferring their children. It is such a warm and friendly relationship that helps these rodents survive in the wild, they believe that together they great strength, and to some extent this is true.
The cleanliness of these cute animals can only be learned and envied; they will never leave in search of food or just for a walk without putting themselves and their cubs in order. The place for the fulfillment of their natural need for these rodents is always in one part, so they not only carefully take care of themselves, but also keep their house clean and tidy.
There are quite a few people who want to feast on a needle mouse in the wild, but the greatest danger for them is represented by birds, reptiles and predatory animals, but gerbils are competitors for food and living on the best lands.
As for the diet of these representatives of the deomyinovyh, we can say that they are completely unpretentious in food. They are used to eating whatever they can get their hands on. The akomis' favorite dishes are grains and cereals, but young plant shoots, insects, snails, fruits and green grass are also very popular with them. Water is an integral part of the life of mice, but if there are enough juicy foods in the diet of rodents, then they can do fine without water. The place for the meal of needle mice is a special corner in which animals feel calm and safe, where no one can get into and destroy not only their lunch, but also themselves.
Description of the appearance of the needle mouse - akomisa
At first glance, it may seem that the needle mouse is a rather large animal, but if you look closely, you will notice that its body does not exceed 11-13 cm in length, and its tail process adds such dimensions to it, which grows to about the same size as the whole body. On the face of this mammal, one can see beautiful, very large eyes, black in color and large ears, which are placed vertically and have a regular, slightly rounded shape. The ears have the ability to move. The muzzle itself is rather narrow, probably for this reason this rodent was named the needle mouse. Long vibrissae can be seen near the oral cavity; these elements greatly help the animals to navigate in their natural habitat.
The entire surface of the mouse's body is wrapped in thick and fluffy fur, soft in texture, in addition, this mouse has one more feature - in addition to the fur, on the dorsal side of its body there are also small needles that are slightly softer and shorter than that of a hedgehog ... The caudal process is devoid of any vegetation, it is bald and covered with so-called scales. It is a very vulnerable part of the body that often breaks. Nature has decorated this rodent in a variety of shades; the color range on the animal's body varies from light yellow to smoky gray. Whatever the color of this animal, with age, the color gradually darkens and becomes more pronounced and saturated. In addition, an adult male can be easily distinguished from a young animal by the presence of a thick layer of hair around the neck, which resembles a lion's mane. The limbs of akomis are very small and short, ending in small claws.
These amazing animals have one special feature - the ability to regenerate, they, like lizards, can shed their tail and even some areas of their skin in case of danger, there are no scars or wounds in this place, and after a while the skin is completely restored.
Continuation of the genus of acomis spiny mice
Sexual maturity for these animals comes pretty quickly, already at 2-3 months they can fully reproduce. Mating season in these rodents, it usually begins in February and lasts until the first days of autumn. The gestation period in a female mouse lasts about 1.5 months, at the end of this time, about 2-3 babies are born. Little "kids" are immediately born with open eyes, exploring the world around them, and with a body covered with fur. The body weight of a newborn is approximately 5-7 grams, appearance babies are slightly different from adult mice not only in weight, but also in body structure. Relative to the tiny body, these rodents, which have just appeared in the white light, have a huge head and very long limbs. They immediately try to find a use for their paws, and from the first hours after birth they start walking. Without their mother, mice can fully exist already from a week of age, and some even at the age of three days are able to independently maintain the required body temperature. But usually, for 2-3 weeks, the cubs do not leave the mother's nest, since they can get warm themselves, but they are unlikely to be able to feed themselves, so they feed on mother's milk. When the period of breastfeeding has come to an end, the mice begin their adult and independent life.
It is a pleasure to have such a miracle of nature in your home, because many people are frightened by the fact that rodents in the house create very bad smell, but in the case of such a pet as akomis, such problems should not be expected.
- Your pet's personal home. As own home for your new friend to purchase a glass aquarium, the upper wall of which is made of a mesh with small cells, this is necessary both for ventilation and so that your pet does not inadvertently sneak around your apartment, especially when you are away. If it is not possible to equip a glass dwelling for your spiny mouse, then you can provide it with a metal cage, but always with very small cells.
- Floor covering. Litter in a house with a rodent is required; as the latter, it is good to use sawdust, sand, dry foliage. In the event that you preferred sand, then it is not necessary to completely change it, it is enough to collect the top layer twice a week and fill in new sand. Don't forget that your furry buddy needs somewhere to sleep, so make sure to have a cozy nest in his own apartment. Building materials for a berth can be different, straw, hay are perfect, the main thing is that there is no dust and mold on it, toilet paperpreviously shredded and even dry moss. In no case should you use cotton wool, since this inquisitive mouse can taste it and simply suffocate, besides, it is very easy to get tangled in cotton wool threads with small paws or a tail, and this is already fraught with injury.
- Optimal microclimate. For the reason that these animals are accustomed to living in warm environmental conditions, the temperature in their home should be at least 25-28 degrees, therefore, it would be nice to install some kind of heating device, for example, a thermal cord. But if your apartment is always warm, then in principle you can do without it. They prefer the air that is drier, so the needle mouse will not need daily spraying.
- Decorating your pet's personal apartment. This is not to say that for such a pet it is necessary to have various decorations in his aquarium, but you do not want your new friend to be bored when you are not at home, or when you do not have time to entertain him. By their nature, cute akomis are very active and mobile animals, so running, walking and climbing is not just their hobby, but an extreme necessity. For this reason, it will be good to give him a running wheel for rodents, there he will drive like crazy, in addition, it is good to install several shelves and branches along which the animal will conquer heights. You can give him some toys, your pet will also be happy. But entertainment is, perhaps, not the most important thing in the life of any home pupil. For a completely happy and comfortable life at home, your friend needs to have a container with a clean drinking water, for this it is good to use some kind of small but heavy ceramic saucer, which the animal will not be able to overturn. A soft spot will not be enough for them to sleep; it is good for him to design a small closed room, like a shelter. Also, a restroom, these rodents are used to peeing in one corner designated for this, but you need to equip it, for this you can use a small container lying on the side, even a flower pot.
- Spring-cleaning. Despite the fact that needle mice are very neat and tidy animals, this fact does not imply that they will clean up after themselves. The substrate needs to be changed as it gets dirty, but it's best to do this about once every three to four days, so you will definitely not expose your home to unpleasant odors. It is good to periodically disinfect all the furnishings of your furry friend's home, for this it is enough to rinse everything in hot water from time to time.
- Feeding. These pets are, in principle, omnivorous, they gladly devour grain, oats, berries, fresh and dried vegetables, fruits, nuts, crackers and greens. And also animal feeds such as crickets, mealworms, caterpillars, dragonflies, butterflies, flies and even lean sea fish, eggs, cottage cheese and beef bones, pre-cooked.
What a spiny mouse looks like, see the following video: