My Pregnant Fancy Mouse

Question
My Pregnant Fancy Mouse is about to have her first litter, shes looking like shes swallowed a golf ball now and has passed my male in size. im very excited about the babies coming. i have 2 questions related to this.

1. I want so badly to see her give birth to the babies. i have had many litters born in my care before but i have never caught the event...is there any way to tell? it would just be pretty awesome to watch them come into the world.

2. I have tons of materials form christmas, boxes, styrofoam parts from elecronics...the styrofoam piece i have would make a perfect shaped house to offer her security and allow me to see her without making her nervous or disturbing her. but i cant remember if she will chew the styrofoam and if she does if it will hurt her...of course its not worth it if it will cause her harm. i would just like to be sure.

thank you, answers are much appreciated. as she awaits to be put back in her cage with a new house for nesting.

-Brittany

Answer
I know it is very tempting to have a peak when she is giving birth but this will cause her a lot of stress and as a result she may eat her babies for fear you are a predator. I would strongly advise not to look at the babies until they are 3 days old unless she knows you very well, is a laid-back mouse and has had many previous litters. Even then there is still a risk and you should only hold them for a few seconds.

You will know when they have been born, they have a very faint but distinct high pitched squeak. If you are in the same room and there's no other noise you will definitely be able to hear it. However, mice usually give birth between 10pm and 2am so theres a chance you won't hear any noise until the morning.

Styrofoam would not make suitable nesting material as it's very harmful and could kill her. Christmas paper is OK, just make sure theres no sellotape or bows attached. It sounds like shes going to give birth any day now so she has probably already built her nest. You can buy suitable homes for her at most pet stores, just make sure its not plastic. A cheaper but equally good option is cardboard boxes. The home needs to be as dark as possible and the cage needs to be kept away from noise and drafts.

I hope all goes well, please feel free to ask any more questions.