African Pygmy Dormice
As their names suggest African pygmy dormice are small indeed, smaller than an average sized fancy mouse. It carries its body very low to the ground and it much better adapted for climbing than walking. I have heard stories of APD’s and other small rodents thirsting to death after not being able to move the ball bearing in conventional water bottle but my dormice have always got round this by hanging upside down along the spout and pushing the ball bearing with a paw until a drip collects at the end of the bottle. This is then lapped up by the clever dormouse. If you are really worried that your dormice are not getting enough fluid or cannot work the bottle either provide them with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables or a shallow water dish. African pygmy dormice are a delicate slate grey that becomes browner with age and paler bellies. The under coat is a very blue grey colour. Bear in mind that this is an African species and there fore evolved to live in a warm climate. Room temperature is perfectly suitable for this species and if kept in a warm draught free spot in the house they do not require additional heating.
Accomodation:
The best form of housing for African pygmy dormice is a glass tank with a tightly fitting, fine wire mesh lid. A suitable substrate such as aspen shavings, sand or paper based bedding should be used. As dormice tunnel it is best to give them at least three inches of substrate and plenty of tubing to hide and play in. The card board inserts of toilet roll tubes make cheap and disposable toys. Dormice also enjoy climbing and so you should provide your dormice with both tubes and climbing apparatus such as twigs and ropes. Using such structures within the enclosure maximises the amount of space that your mice have by giving the enclosure a third dimension and also doubles as very space efficient environmental enrichment.
Diet:
APD’s appreciate a very varied and interesting diet. Standard rodent mix and a few mealworms a week just isn’t enough for them. A suitable dormouse mixture should consist of small seeds, live or dried insects, a universal soft bill bird food such as Orlux™ or Bogena™, dried and fresh fruit and vegetables. Fish food I a safe and effective source of protein and can either the dry flaked form or as freeze dried krill or blood worm can be fed sprinkled on top of the substrate.
Handling:
Never try to pick an African pygmy dormouse up be its tail. Like many rodent species the African pygmy dormouse has a very brittle tail which can be shed completely should the animal be grabbed by it. This has evolved to enable an animal captured by its tail to escape the clutches of a predator. Unlike herptiles that also have a similar defence mechanism, rodents cannot regenerate a lost tail or limb.
Breeding:
Breeding African pygmy dormice is not particularly difficult although serious consideration should be given to prospective new homes before breeding is even considered due to the fact that they are notoriously hard to rehome.
