Mouse colors

Question
Hi, well my female mouse just had her second litter of babies. i was wondering if all the babies will be the same color as her. all the mice in the first litter were the same color but someone told me in there second litter the colors will be different. Others say the babies are always the same color as the doe.
Squeaks
Hadley

Answer
Hi Hadley,

There is a lot that goes into determining what colors the baby mice will be.  The colors may be different or the same, just depending on whose genetics are dominant, and what genetics were passed on by the father.  If you let me know what color she is, what color the father is, and what color the father of the first litter was and the results of their offspring, I can help you get started on figuring it out.  Of course, the best way to tell will be to wait a few days!  Their coats start to really come in around 7-10 days.

Here is a link explaining color genetics in mice - it goes into a lot of detail, so if you have any questions, please let me know and I'd be excited to help.  Mouse colors are a really fun topic!!

The genetics:  http://www.hiiret.fi/eng/breeding/genetics/index.html
The varieties (with what genes cause them):  http://www.hiiret.fi/eng/breeding/varieties/index.html

-Tam