Where to Get One
You & Zebras
Where to Get One?
Points to Consider
As a matter of fact it may be rather difficult to get a zebra mouse. They are rather rare in pet shops and there aren't that many breeders around either. Ask your local mouse club if they list or otherwise know any zebra breeders and make inquiries from local mouse fanciers as well.
Good luck.
What to Look For
Things to look for when choosing a zebra mouse...
If you get lucky and are able to find some zebra mice somewhere, do not rush and buy the first ones you see. Look at them closer first.
First of all: Buy as young an animal as possible to make sure it can be tamed properly!
Zebra mouse, o. Katri Pohjanvaara |
Examine the animal closely to make sure you are not buying a sick one. A healthy animal will have bright and lively eyes, it will move about lively (however, not too wildly) and it is slim and curious. The coat of a healthy animal is strong, tense and shiny and the whole animal gives the impression of being clean.
Buy a mouse that does not run wildly away from you, but is rather curious in a benign way. This way you can get a pet that will be tamed.
Ask the seller to let you handle the mouse before you buy one, so you can see better how it really behaves.
The zebra mouse has to be clean and tidy in all matters and it should not sneeze. This is a sign of illness.
Signs of serious illness include strokes, sitting in one place with legs spread, tilted head and staggering movements.
Even though the individual you have chosen would be fine in all matter, do take a look at its cage mates. There is always the possibility that one sick individual in a group has already infected all the others, but the other mice are not showing sings of it yet. This way you can prevent unnecessary heart ache and vet bills.
The surroundings have their own impact on the mouse's health. If the mice are living in clearly filthy and / or cramped conditions, your common sense will tell you that you can't find a level headed, healthy pet from there!
Last but certainly not least: PITY IS NEVER A VALID REASON FOR BUYING AN ANIMAL!!!
On to next part - Points to consider.
Original text: Lotta Alhfors & Kaisa Kattilakoski.