A Mouse or A Male?

Question
Hi Natasha!

I have been reviewing your great posts on mice, and it sounds like I have females demonstrating authority in the group, but I'd like your opinion.

I bought Fondue (brown w/ red eyes), Fonda (white %26 grayish brown spots), %26 Fantom (white %26 grayish black spots) in April from a Pet Smart. I was told they only sell females. I notice Fondue %26 Fantom will chase each other %26 squeak once in awhile. I figured this to be just fun chasing/play or just sisterly fights.  I noticed Fantom will take sunflower seeds from the others, but at the end of the day they all curl up together in the nest.  Mice are such loving animals!

This weekend, for the first time, I caught Fondue mounting Fonda. I tried shooing Fondue off of her a few times but "she" kept chases her and doing it. I noticed Fantom did the same behavior after watching Fondue. Poor Fonda! LOL I'm worried Fondue %26 Fantom may be males, but after 8 months together I would think they would have mated already. I'm hoping they are just females trying to assert authority.... Do you think Fondue is just the "A" female of the pact? I'm not ready to be a grandma! :o)

Thank you!
Nik F.
San Diego

Answer
Dear Niki,

Fondue and Fantom are definitely feeling dominant over Fonda, but they are still in all likelihood all girls.  You will probably see a rivalry between Fondue and Fantom to see who is really the A and who's the B.  Obviously Fonda is the C mouse!  The occasional chasing and mounting behavior may continue indefinitely.  It's all good-- unless Fonda gets scared or depressed, or hurt.  I always separate if there is blood; but another reason to separate is if Fonda is being denied access to the nest, food, or water, or if she begins to sit around hunched up and depressed.  Otherwise they will just do their mousie thing-- but don't hesitate to pick someone up if you are there and Fonda isn't getting a break.  

I loved the names of your mice.  I was tripping over them in reading and writing this (I hope I sorted it out all right!).  If you get a fourth you should name it Fonzie (a 70s cult TV show character-- the epitome of cool)

Squeaks n giggles,

Natasha