My mouse nibbles my fingers

Question
QUESTION: Hi Natasha,
 I bought 3 female mice from Petsmart a week ago, and am worried because of their dramatically different behaviors.  My mouse, Bubbles, isn't very active and likes sits inside the box shelf I made for them all day.  I realize that mice are nocturnal, but the other mice are much more active.  Also, Bubbles eyes were reddish and squinty when i first got her, and I couldn't bear to leave her at the pet store because those three were the only mice they had, I thought shed be lonely.  But her eyes are much clearer now, so I'm not sure if her inactivity is due to her being sick or not.  Also, all the mice seemed to be about the same size when I got them, but while the other two have ballooned, Bubbles is still tiny.  I've seen her eat and drink, but the other two gorge themselves compared to her.  My other mouse, Blossom, is very sweet and is very curious and I have no problems with her.  But Buttercup, my last mouse, is very fidgety.  She is hyper active, jumps around, and burrows constantly.  She runs for cover every time I walk by or put my hand in the cage, dominates the wheel, and repeatedly nips at Blossom.  I found her mounting Blossom and stealing food from her hands a couple times too.  I'm not sure if she bullies Bubbles because Bubbles usually stays out of Buttercup's way, but Blossom doesn't seem affected by Buttercup at all.  I've been watching their bottoms closely, and I'm SURE they're all females.  So is Buttercup's behavior hurting Bubbles, and if so, do I need to separate Buttercup?  Thank you:)

ANSWER: Dear Leanna,

Dramatically different behavior is fine. Mice have varied personalities. You are probably right that Bubbles was sick when you got her. Since the others were already living with her, exposure was not a problem, and it is good that you took her. It's always better to have three mice than two, because when a mouse is dealing with the death of a friend it is terrible for her to also suddenly be lonely too. Then you have time to replace the lost mouse.

Back to your girls. My rules for separating mice is only if:

1. There is blood,
2. Someone is prevented from accessing wheel, food, water, or nest,
3. Someone appears very depressed and lethargic, or
4. The chasing and squeaking is pretty much nonstop.

Mounting is ok; it's just a display of dominance. Stealing food occasionally is fine too.

I think they are fine. Lots of love to all of them.

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Blossom's Nibbling Hab   QUESTION: --UPDATE--
Hi Natasha,
 Thank you so much, I haven't separated them, and now I am reassured not to.  Now that I've been observing them more, I've seen that, yes, Buttercup is very bossy, and yes, Bubbles is a push over, but they get along pretty well.  I cut a window in their house and I see them huddled happily together during the day and have even seen the other girls bring her food and build a nest around her.  I have also been observing them at night and watched Bubbles gorge herself, so I feel much better about her condition.   Bubble's eyes have also cleared up, and she seems more active and interacts with her sisters more, so I think she's getting better.

Also,
 My mouse Blossom seems to be very curious about me, but every time she interacts with my hand, she nibbles it.  Sometimes she nibbles pretty hard and I gently pull my hand away.  If I put it back in she resumes nibbling at it, and, I've tried wiggling my fingers so she knows I'm not food, and even if my hand is completely clean she will just try to grab a hold of me and nip at me.  Could you tell me why she does this, and how to get her to stop?
Again, thank you so much for your advice:)
Leanna

Answer
Dear Leanna,

There are a couple of approaches you can take to unwanted finger nibbling. The first is to anticipate it. Sometimes a mouse will just want to give you a little nip when you put your hand in her space. If you are afraid she will, it is unpleasant. But if the first thing you do when you put your hand in the cage is give her a finger to nip, if she was being territorial, she will give it a quick, painless nip and that will be that.

The second is the only way you should ever even begin to discipline a mouse. A mouse does not like a tap on the top of nose (NOT the tip). It does not hurt, but it seems to insult them. A tap is barely a touch at all. The mouse nibbles; you use that exact finger to lightly tap the top of its nose.

The third is, if she is quite territorial, don't put your hands in her cage.  If she doesn't want them there you should respect that.

Let me know how well it works.

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha