The Rodent Guru

21/09/2022

Spiny mice get their name from the modified hairs on their rumps which resemble spines and act as their primary defence against predators.

We currently keep six species in the collection including the golden spiny mouse (Acomys russatus), a species still relatively scarce in captive collections.

15/09/2022

Another new species to the collection this year is the Australian water rat (Hydromys chrysogaster). This species resides around rivers, streams, lakes and marshland in Eastern and Northern Australia as well as New Guinea with the exception of the Central Highlands.

They have experienced a decline in European collections over the last few years becoming an increasingly rare sight. We hope to commence breeding in due course.

11/09/2022

We were very pleased to welcome two pairs of the Spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis) to the collection earlier in the year and both pairs have now successfully reared offspring.

This species occurs throughout the central and western Australian arid zones. They are omnivorous and will eat a variety of food items including seeds, roots, shoots and invertebrates.

02/09/2022

Fresh browse is an important part of a rodents diet. Not only does it help maintain healthy teeth, but it also provides natural foraging opportunities that should not be underestimated in their contribution to overall welfare.

We are lucky to be able to grow a number of suitable browse species here, which allows daily provision for many of our species throughout the summer months. Poplar is a particular favourite for our swamp cavies (Cavia magna).

29/08/2022

The Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii) is a really sociable and active species. Here animals of several ages are enjoying their evening produce feed.

24/08/2022

The striped grass mice (Lemniscomys barbarus) have been really productive so far this year. Seen here is a litter of seven at around three weeks old.

21/08/2022

Spinifex hopping mice (Notomys alexis) joined the collection earlier in the year. The first infants are now approaching three weeks old and are already miniature versions of their parents. In the next few days their eyes will open and they’ll emerge from the nest soon after.

21/06/2022

11/06/2022

Over the last two months all three breeding female White-tailed antsangy (Brachytarsomys albicauda) have produced litters, with the latest arriving just last night.

Today one litter hit the 6 week mark and so it was time for a nest box check and their first weigh in. Two good size young present, seen here with their mother who is one of the original founder animals of the captive population. The juvenile colouration is still obvious at this age, but will soon morph into the striking orange/red of the adults.

03/06/2022

Introductions of lesser bamboo rats (Cannomys badius) can be a little fraught at times. The moderate indifference from the male today is something of a win.

28/05/2022

Colour mutations are common amongst many rodent species. One of my groups of Barbary striped grass mice (Lemniscomys barbarus) recently produced three infants with white patches. Whilst not to my taste, it’s always interesting to experience something new with any species I keep.

11/03/2022

The white-tailed antsangy is a very placid and generally arboreal species lending them well to sharing their enclosure with ground dwelling species. Whilst not geographically correct we’ve mixed them with a number of wild cavy species as well as the more fitting lesser and greater hedgehog tenrec.

On the whole we see little interaction between the species, but more recently our original founder male antsangy has discovered that if he gets up early he can benefit from the swamp cavies evening meal!