Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Small Mammal Pets/Answer Key"

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[[Image:54986main_mouse_med.jpg|thumb|270px|right|White fancy mouse]]
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:''This article concerns a particular breed of rabbit, the Netherland dwarf.  For information on domestic rabbits in general, see [[Domestic rabbit]].''
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''For information on the country, see [[Netherlands]]''
  
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'''Fancy mice''' ("fancy", in this context, means "hobby") are domesticated versions of the common or house mouse (''[[Mus musculus]]'').
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[[Image:Netherlanddwarfbunny.jpg|right|thumb|A pet Netherland Dwarf]]
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The '''Netherland Dwarf''' is a popular [[breed]] of [[domestic rabbit]] (''Oryctolagus cuniculus'').  Smaller than most [[List of rabbit breeds|rabbit breeds]], Netherland dwarf rabbits weigh 1 to 3 [[pound (mass)|lb]] (0.5 to 1.4 kg) and are usually kept as [[pet]]s or [[exhibition]] animals.  They are not typically used as sources of [[meat]] or [[fur]] because their small size makes them inefficient for these purposes.
  
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==Physical description==
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Most rabbits sold in [[pet store]]s are Netherland dwarfs, Netherland dwarf-[[selective breeding|derived breeds]] (often referred to simply as ''[[#Dwarf breeds|dwarf breeds]]''), or dwarf [[hybrid|crosses]]. Their popularity as pets stems from their [[baby]]ish appearance and their [[cage]] space requirement, which is smaller than that of larger rabbit breeds.
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Fancy mice is a term to describe mice that have been selectively bred for pet or show. They can vary greatly in size, from small pet mice that are approximately 16-18 cm (6 inches or so) long from nose to the tip of the tail, to show mice that measure 30cm (12 inches) nose to tail. Pet mice weigh about 25-40 g but large show mice can weigh up to 100g. As fancy mice have a different process of [[natural selection]] than their wild cousins, they come in a variety of colours and patterns. These include black, chocolate, blue, white, cream, lilac, red, fawn, champagne, cinnamon, golden agouti, silver agouti, silver and dove. Female mice are called does and males are called bucks. If well cared for, a mouse lives for around 2 years on average, with some reaching 3 years old.
 
  
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==Mice as pets==
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==History==
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[[Image:Fancy Mouse.jpg|thumb|left|A tame black fancy mouse]]
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The Netherland dwarf was first bred in the [[Netherlands]], as its name implies, in the early [[20th century]]. Medium-sized rabbits of various breeds were bred with wild [[European rabbit]]s of unusually small size; after several generations the resulting animal was a very small domestic rabbit available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Netherland dwarfs were first imported into the [[United Kingdom]] in the [[1950s]]. In the [[1960s]] and [[1970s]] the [[United States]] imported its first Netherland dwarf rabbits.
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Mice are kept as pets in many countries for a number of reasons. Fancy mice are small, inexpensive, clean, and generally have a good [[temperament]]. Female mice are popular with many owners since they tend to cohabitate with other mice better than males. Additionally, the urine of female fancy mice does not contain as strong of an odor as that of the male mice. Bucks can fight with each other, unless they are introduced at a very young age, and they produce urine with a strong, musky smell. Some people, however, prefer the personality and curiosity of male mice. It is a good idea to keep fancy mice in groups of at least two if possible, as mice are sociable animals. However, if a buck and a doe of breeding age are put in the same cage they will produce a new litter every three weeks until separated.
 
  
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==Caging==
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Early dwarfs, even into the 1970s and [[1980s]], had fearful and sometimes aggressive [[temperament]]s as a result of [[breeder]]s selecting [[breeder (animal)|breeding animals]] for size, not [[personality]]. These rabbits behaved more like [[wild]] rabbits than domestic animals and did not make good pets. However, through generations of [[selective breeding]], the modern Netherland dwarf has become a gentle, friendly pet rabbit, though it still retains a more energetic disposition than larger breeds.
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Mice should be kept in well-ventilated areas. Fish tanks or cages with bars and plastic flooring make good housing. Give attention that the distance between the bars is below than 9mm. Also at the doors. It is no problem for young mice to force themselves through a cage with wider bars, and it's dangerous when they get stuck there.  
 
  
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The best products for in-cage bedding are aspen wood shavings, dried corn cob, or a commercial paper-based material. Mice should not be given newspaper for nesting, as the ink can contain harmful preservatives. They should also not be given [[cedar shavings]], as the oils in the wood are unhealthy. Small hide-aways and toys (such as a [[cardboard]] tube) are good to have in the cage. Commercial toys are also available.
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==Appearance==
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[[Image:Netherlanddwarf-loki.jpg|thumb|right|Young Netherland dwarf in a mismarked Himalayan pattern]]
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[[Purebred]] Netherland dwarfs come in a wide variety of colors, including [[List of rabbit breeds#Himalayan|Himalayan]], Red, Siamese, [[List of rabbit breeds#Chinchilla|Chinchilla]], Blue, and White-tipped Black.  Other colors (called ''mismarks'') exist in non-show-quality Netherland dwarfs and in dwarf [[mongrel]] rabbits.
  
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[[Cat]] owners must also take special precautions to ensure that the mouse's housing is secure, as even the friendliest of domestic cats have been known to torment or kill fancy mice if given the chance.
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Netherland dwarfs' [[head]]s and [[eye]]s are disproportionately large with respect to their bodies, and their ears are tiny and carried high on the head.  Additionally, their faces are rounded and shortened.  These features, a part of the animals' [[dwarfism]], cause them to look [[infant]]ile even into [[adulthood]].
  
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==Feeding==
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Dwarf crosses frequently retain some of these characteristics, depending on the breed the dwarf is crossed with. However, crosses rarely look as babyish as the [[purebred]] dwarfs and are usually somewhat larger.
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Food for fancy mice is relatively inexpensive. [[veterinarian|Veterinarians]] generally recommend a product called ''lab block,'' a scientifically-formulated blend originally designed for mice in laboratories. Dry [[dog food]] is another good option when lab block is unavailable, as it offers balanced nutrition for a mouse and helps keep their teeth conditioned. Special mouse food found in pet stores also makes a good diet. In order to keep variety in their diets, mice can also eat oats, oily seeds, clean [[egg shell]], breakfast cereal, and stale [[bread]]. Fruit and vegetables can be offered occasionally. They should also have clean water at all times and some sort of chewing wood in order to keep their teeth from growing too long.
 
  
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==Breeding mice==
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==Netherland dwarfs as pets==
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It is important to consider breeding carefully and to do so thoughtfully due to the very fast reproducton rate of mice, and the housing of the young.
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:''Main article: [[Domestic rabbit#Rabbits as Pets|Domestic rabbit]]''
  
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Female mice should not be bred before 12 weeks or after 8 months. Doing so can be very dangerous and some mice can even die while giving birth. Don't forget, when a mouse gets to 9 months old they are already very old. Bucks and does should be housed in separate enclosures until you want to breed. When the time comes you can place them together. Place the doe in the buck's tank, otherwise the doe will fight with the buck to defend her territory. Does come into heat around every five days, so it is best to leave them together for ten days or so.
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===Behavior===
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Netherland dwarf rabbits have the same basic behavioral traits as other domestic rabbits. They can be litter-trained and socialized with [[dog]]s and [[cat]]s.
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[[Image:Mice 24 Nov 2004.jpg|thumb|Baby Mice.]]
 
  
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You can tell when a mouse is pregnant because they grow very round near to the time of birth. The gestation period goes 18 - 21 days. She will likely give birth to 8-12 though it can be more. It is best to remove the buck otherwise he will mate with the female as soon as the first litter is born, putting a huge strain on the mother, unborn litter and the new babies.
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They tend to have [[wikt:spunky|spunkier]] and more energetic [[temperament]]s than larger breeds of rabbit and are rarely content to sit still when outside of the cage. They are curious animals and have a tendency to nibble on nearby objects and even human beings. However, they are extremely fragile animals and easily stressed, and as such they do not make good pets for young children.  
  
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Baby mice (pups) are born blind, naked and deaf. Their eyes are closed and ears are stuck to the sides of their heads. It’s best to leave the mother alone for a while, otherwise she might panic and eat the babies. She might also eat any dead or sickly offspring, getting the litter down to a reasonable size. You can tell if the babies have drank any milk because their tummies turn white.
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===Diet===
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Like other domestic rabbits, dwarf rabbits consume [[grasses]], [[cereal|grains]], and other succulent [[Leaf vegetable|greens]]. Their [[digestive system]] is somewhat less hardy than their larger cousins, and many leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage can give them health problems. Generally [[hay]] and a [[pellet]]ed feed should make up the largest portion of their diet.
  
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Hair begins to grow at two to four days; you can see what the patches in marked mice will look like now. Ears open at three to five days and they will start vocalizing more. Eyes open at 14 days and now the babies will start exploring the world around them. At 3 weeks old they look like miniature versions of adult mice. At 4-5 weeks pups must be separated otherwise they will breed with their siblings.
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==Dwarf breeds==
  
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==Mice as Feeder Animals==
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Rabbit breeds derived from breeding larger rabbits with the Netherland dwarf are known as ''dwarf breeds''.  Most smaller breeds, like the Mini-Rex, the Jersey Wooly, and the Holland lop, are results of such breedings.  Generally dwarf breeds are slightly larger than the typical Netherland dwarf, not growing larger than 4 to 5 lb (1.8 to 2.3 kg).  Most have shortened faces compared to larger rabbits, and some even preserve the rounded [[head]], large [[eye]]s, or small [[ear]]s of the Netherland dwarf.
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A very common use of mice currently is to feed many species of [[snakes]], [[lizards]], and even [[tarantulas]].  Most pet stores now carry mice for this purpose.  They breed quickly, grow quickly, are easy to care for, and come in a wide variety of sizes due to this.  This makes them suitable for consumption by many different size animals.  Mice also seem to be a desirable food item for a very large variety of [[carnivores]]. Common terms used to refer to different age/size mice are pinkies, fuzzies, hoppers, and adults. Pinkies are newborn mice that have not yet grown fur.  Fuzzies have some fur but are generally not very mobile, hoppers have a full coat of hair and are fully mobile but are smaller than adult mice.  These terms also refer to the various growth stages of [[rat]]s (also see [[Fancy rat]]).
 
  
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==Mice clubs==
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Most dwarf breeds are intended to bring a specialized characteristic, such as a specific fur type, into a smaller rabbit.  Mini-Rex were created through the breeding of dwarfs with [[List of rabbit breeds#Rex|Rex]] rabbits, a fur breed with a short, [[plush]] coat, and retain both the dwarf's size and the Rex fur. Jersey Woolies are a dwarf version of the [[Angora rabbit]], a [[wool]]-producing breed. [[List of rabbit breeds#Lop|Lop]]-eared rabbit breeds, interbred with dwarfs, were used to create [[Holland lop]] and Mini-lop rabbits.
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Many fancy mice clubs have been set up around the globe. Shows are also held so owners can display their mice. ''See External links below.''
 
  
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==External links==
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==See also==
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*[http://www.fancymice.info Fancy Mice]
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*[[List of rabbit breeds]]
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*[http://www.rmca.org Rat & Mouse Club of America]
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*[[American Rabbit Breeders' Association]]
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*[http://www.miceandrats.com/miceas.htm Mice as Pets]
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*[[Cuteness]]
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*Varieties of [http://www.miceandrats.com/standmic.htm Fancy Mice]
 
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*[http://www.nationalmouseclub.co.uk National Mouse Club]
 
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*[http://www.dmrm.de Mouse Club of Germany]
 
  
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[[Category:Animals kept as pets]]
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[[Category:Rabbits as pets]]
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[[Category:Old World rats and mice]]
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[[Category:Leporids]]
  
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[[de:Farbmaus]]
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[[zh:荷蘭侏儒兔]]

Revision as of 23:00, 11 June 2006

This article concerns a particular breed of rabbit, the Netherland dwarf. For information on domestic rabbits in general, see Domestic rabbit.

For information on the country, see Netherlands

A pet Netherland Dwarf

The Netherland Dwarf is a popular breed of domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Smaller than most rabbit breeds, Netherland dwarf rabbits weigh 1 to 3 lb (0.5 to 1.4 kg) and are usually kept as pets or exhibition animals. They are not typically used as sources of meat or fur because their small size makes them inefficient for these purposes.

Most rabbits sold in pet stores are Netherland dwarfs, Netherland dwarf-derived breeds (often referred to simply as dwarf breeds), or dwarf crosses. Their popularity as pets stems from their babyish appearance and their cage space requirement, which is smaller than that of larger rabbit breeds.

History

The Netherland dwarf was first bred in the Netherlands, as its name implies, in the early 20th century. Medium-sized rabbits of various breeds were bred with wild European rabbits of unusually small size; after several generations the resulting animal was a very small domestic rabbit available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Netherland dwarfs were first imported into the United Kingdom in the 1950s. In the 1960s and 1970s the United States imported its first Netherland dwarf rabbits.

Early dwarfs, even into the 1970s and 1980s, had fearful and sometimes aggressive temperaments as a result of breeders selecting breeding animals for size, not personality. These rabbits behaved more like wild rabbits than domestic animals and did not make good pets. However, through generations of selective breeding, the modern Netherland dwarf has become a gentle, friendly pet rabbit, though it still retains a more energetic disposition than larger breeds.

Appearance

Young Netherland dwarf in a mismarked Himalayan pattern

Purebred Netherland dwarfs come in a wide variety of colors, including Himalayan, Red, Siamese, Chinchilla, Blue, and White-tipped Black. Other colors (called mismarks) exist in non-show-quality Netherland dwarfs and in dwarf mongrel rabbits.

Netherland dwarfs' heads and eyes are disproportionately large with respect to their bodies, and their ears are tiny and carried high on the head. Additionally, their faces are rounded and shortened. These features, a part of the animals' dwarfism, cause them to look infantile even into adulthood.

Dwarf crosses frequently retain some of these characteristics, depending on the breed the dwarf is crossed with. However, crosses rarely look as babyish as the purebred dwarfs and are usually somewhat larger.

Netherland dwarfs as pets

Main article: Domestic rabbit

Behavior

Netherland dwarf rabbits have the same basic behavioral traits as other domestic rabbits. They can be litter-trained and socialized with dogs and cats.

They tend to have spunkier and more energetic temperaments than larger breeds of rabbit and are rarely content to sit still when outside of the cage. They are curious animals and have a tendency to nibble on nearby objects and even human beings. However, they are extremely fragile animals and easily stressed, and as such they do not make good pets for young children.

Diet

Like other domestic rabbits, dwarf rabbits consume grasses, grains, and other succulent greens. Their digestive system is somewhat less hardy than their larger cousins, and many leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage can give them health problems. Generally hay and a pelleted feed should make up the largest portion of their diet.

Dwarf breeds

Rabbit breeds derived from breeding larger rabbits with the Netherland dwarf are known as dwarf breeds. Most smaller breeds, like the Mini-Rex, the Jersey Wooly, and the Holland lop, are results of such breedings. Generally dwarf breeds are slightly larger than the typical Netherland dwarf, not growing larger than 4 to 5 lb (1.8 to 2.3 kg). Most have shortened faces compared to larger rabbits, and some even preserve the rounded head, large eyes, or small ears of the Netherland dwarf.

Most dwarf breeds are intended to bring a specialized characteristic, such as a specific fur type, into a smaller rabbit. Mini-Rex were created through the breeding of dwarfs with Rex rabbits, a fur breed with a short, plush coat, and retain both the dwarf's size and the Rex fur. Jersey Woolies are a dwarf version of the Angora rabbit, a wool-producing breed. Lop-eared rabbit breeds, interbred with dwarfs, were used to create Holland lop and Mini-lop rabbits.

See also

zh:荷蘭侏儒兔

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