Have you ever heard of fancy mouse breeding? While we selectively breed cat and dog species for pets, mice are also bred for specific physical and naturalistic traits. This community of fancy mouse breeders has bred gorgeous mice with unique coats and appearances. This Instagram post by @mysigonek shows two mice with a unique coat. Read here to learn more about these fancy mice.
In our book, these mice are Best in Show.
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Fancy Mouse Breeding
The type of mouse that is kept as a pet is simply the common house mouse, but it has been bred over generations for domestication. So, although they are the same species as the common house mouse, selective breeding has altered their appearance, behavior, and temperament. Fancy mice are kept as pets or show animals by enthusiasts in communities around the world. Given their acclimation to humans, they do not survive well in the wild. Hobbyists or breeders often communicate within their community, sharing knowledge and new coat variations amongst each other.
Fancy mice share many traits with regular house mice. They often live for around two to three years and will only grow a few inches. While wild mice are extremely skittish with humans, they can calm down through socialization. Mice are social creatures, so it is best to socialize them with humans with other mice as well. This will help alleviate the stress of the process. Although they are domesticated, it is important to carefully manage all aspects of their care. Consistent cleaning of their cages, proper feeding and watering, and regular bathing are all important for fancy mice to remain healthy and thrive.
Mouse Texel
Texel refers to a specific type of mouse coat. Mice that have a texel coat have curly or wavy long coats that stand out amongst the straighter hair of other mice. This is the type of coat seen in the Instagram post above, and it is highly regarded within the fancy mouse community. The American Fancy Rat & Mouse Association categorizes these kinds of mice under their “curly mice” category. For a mouse to have curly hair, they must have the rex mutation. The rex mutation is what causes changes in hair follicle shape, affecting hair structure. This hair type is famous for being soft and plush, both an aesthetic and a practical benefit. To maintain this coat, breeders pay special attention to the cleanliness of both the mice and their environment.
