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Mice
Mice belong to the group of mammals known as rodents.
They are related to guinea pigs and rats.
The most common species is the house mouse. The house mouse lives in nearly all countries in the world.
They have small ears and a pointed snout.
Their long thin bodies are from 2.8 to 13 centimetres long. They eat plants such as grains, fruits and seeds.
Mice live together in groups
In the wild mice live for only about 3 months. They are hunted by cats, wild dogs, foxes, birds of prey and snakes.
Mice can be harmful pests, by damaging and eating farm crops and by spreading diseases through their parasites (tiny animals that live on their fur) and faeces (poo).
A house for your pet mice
Mice can be
kept in a metal cage with a plastic floor or in a glass or plastic
aquarium tank. 
Mice should be given soft paper to nest in. Wood shavings
on the floor will soak up the mice urine (pee).The mouse house
must be cleaned once a week to keep the mice healthy.
Mice will exercise
on a wheel in their house
Feeding
your mice
Mice can be fed dried oats, canary seed, fresh fruit such as apples
and bananas, and vegetables such as carrots broccoli and peas.
Pet shops sell special food pellets for mice. Mice should be given
fresh water.
Life Cycle
Mice can breed
all year round. Females are ready to mate every four or five days.
When males and female mice mate, the male's sperm enters the female's
body and joins with eggs inside the female's body. Baby mice begin
to grow.
New born mice with their mother
The baby mice are born about 21 days later in a nest prepared by the female. There are usually five to ten mice in a litter. The young are born without hair or teeth and are blind and deaf. After a week the hair begins to grow, and after ten days the baby mice can see and hear.
Baby mice drink milk from their mother's teats for about three
weeks. From about two weeks teeth begin to grow and the young
mice can nibble at solid food.
While they are little, the young mice are cared for by their mother.
She cleans and feeds them and keeps them safe. After they are
four weeks old they can look after themselves.
Pet mice can live
for 2 - 4 years.
Go here to read more about caring for your pet
mice
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/8666/mouse.html
Responsible
pet ownership
Mice, like all pets, depend on their owners for food, protection
and shelter. Before becoming a pet owner think carefully about
all the things you will have to do to care for your pet
responsibly.
Acknowledge this
source in your bibliography like this:
Mice (2007). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au
Axolotls Budgerigars Dogs Canaries Cats Fish Guinea Pigs Rabbits
updated February 2007