Do mice bite a lot?

Question
I have wanted to get mice for a while, but when I went to the store to look into getting several females, I was STRONGLY advised not to get them by the clerk. I was told that mice are almost always biters--not just nibblers like hamsters. The clerk warned that they would pierce the skin, draw blood, and possibly take a chunk. They said it also wasn't worth the large chance of infection.

My question is whether or not this is true. I would really like to get mice, but not if I can't handle them without loosing flesh. I have had rats and hamsters before with no problems; just nibbling. Are mice really that bad?

Answer
Hi Aaron,

It's possible that their supplier provides particularly aggressive mice, but I have NEVER met a mouse that mean before.  The mouse that bites is the exception, not the rule, and usually results from fear.  A mouse in a pet store might bite if it's picked up frequently and in a painful manner from the cage, or just scared by constant change in the environment, cage mates, and people handling it.  Even the most aggressive or fearful mouse can be calmed down over time with good care and frequent handling once they have settled in at a forever-home.  I've been working with mice for years and only been bitten twice - once by a lab mouse who was afraid of people, and once by a pup who wasn't yet socialized.  Neither drew blood, and they certainly didn't take chunks of flesh!

I would check with other employees or with other stores, and look at the mice for yourself.  You can prevent being nipped by reading a mouse's body language and by handling them properly.  The right way to lift an unfamiliar mouse is by grasping the tail in the middle - not to close to the body or the tip where wriggling might hurt them - lifting them upward, and placing gently downward onto a hand or in a container.  The whole thing should last less than 2-3 seconds, though you certainly don't want to swing a mouse around trying to move it quickly.  If you're calm, the mouse will be calm.  For mice that are obese, pregnant, or injured, it's best to coax them into a container directly from the cage rather than lift them by the tail.  The reason many pet store mice are scared of being picked up is because in nature predators usually come from above - this fear will go away over time and with lots of care and attention.

As far as body language goes, a frightened or aggressive mouse will squeak, turn toward your hand, curl up when held by the tail (as opposed to stretching out like normal), or curve their body around when you reach for them.  Some mice will box when threatened by standing on their back legs, curling around, and "punching" at what they're afraid of.  Some mice will rattle their tails, sometimes audibly against things, as a warning sign to back off.  A calm mouse on the other hand will stretch forward to investigate your hand, ears perked up, and may even come over to you.  While it's probably tempting, you shouldn't corner a mouse you're trying to catch.  Picking them up should be a positive experience, and if the pet store has treats available you can offer them with the other hand once you've caught them.

Lastly, sometimes biting is a result of pain.  Before you lift the mouse do your best to look it over for any injuries that might make picking up painful.  You'll probably be doing this anyways in an effort to pick out healthy, happy pet mice.  The mouse doesn't have to behave sick for it to be ill or injured - most prey animals do not show pain until it is extremely severe, to prevent being picked off by predators.

Sorry that was a little long-winded!  In short - mice are not more aggressive than any other rodent, and make terrific, friendly pets!  Go for it!  :)

-Tam