Zebra Mice

Scientific Classification & Quick Facts

Common name	Zebra mouse
Scientific name	Lemniscomys
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Rodentia
Family	Muridae
Type	Striped African grass mouse
Diet	Omnivore: fruit, vegetables, insects and seeds
Habitat	Grassy areas
Native range	Africa
Size	18.5-29 cm long; about half is tail
Weight	18-70 g
Special feature	Dark stripes from head to tail; tail breaks off

The Zebra mice belong to the genus of murine rodents hailing from Africa, at times people refer to them as the striped grass mouse. They have black stripes that extend from head to tail on their dorsal surface and either side, with a brownish body.

Anatomy

Their length ranges from 18.5 – 29 cm (7.3 – 11.4 in) almost half of which is the tail. They weigh 18 – 70 g (. 63 – 2.47 Oz). Depending on the pelage pattern, the species fall into three major groups. Distinctive dark and light striped “true zebra mice”, the dotted or more broken striped, spotted grass mice, the mice with a singular, deeply colored stripe that runs along the back called the ‘single striped grass mice’.

Behavior

The zebra mice can be difficult to tame, with their occasional excitable behavior.

Habitat

These grass mice mostly occupy habitats that are grassy. You can see them across much of Africa south of the Sahara.

As a Pet

Breeding

Zebra mice mature sexually within a few months of birth. For three to five days the female stays in season and has a 21 day gestation period. Few owners succeeded in placing a female with a male at the time when she is in season, but since a few zebra mice are highly aggressive this changes with their mood. They may fight during mating and if there is any bloodshed, separate them. Once they are 14 months old, do not breed female zebra mice.

Housing

Use an aquarium or a wire cage to house zebra mice. Keep enough shavings as substrate in the cage for them to hide and nest. Use either pine shavings, Care Fresh pet bedding or aspen bedding. To make a proper environment for a zebra mouse use nest boxes or hide boxes. They love to play on exercise wheels. Keep zebra mice need warmth as they come from warm African grasslands. Ensure their body temperature does not fall. Place branches or twigs in their cages to climb on.

Food

Zebra mice are omnivorous which means they eat animals and plants. An assortment of fruits, vegetables, insects and seeds form an ideal diet. Pears, plums, apples or grapes are good fresh fruits. Add vegetables such as carrots, corn, sweet potatoes in their meal. Include a bit of hard-boiled eggs in their diet. Give them cooked (do not fry) and deboned, lean meat and poultry. Avoid salt, spices or sauces in such meats. Do not give processed meats. Supplement their diet with a rodent pellet available commercially.

Handling

The tail of the zebra mice is delicate and they easily shed it; so handle them gently as it does not re-grow if broken. When frightened these jumper zebra mice are capable of jumping 2 feet directly upwards. A few zebra mice adjust well to handling, but an expert in exotic rodents is best to handle them. With age, a few zebra mice grow more attached to their owners, especially on the death of cagemate.

Zebra mouse FAQs