mice lifespan

Question
In September of 2006 I rescued a baby dear mouse from my cat and have kept it as a pet ever since. He has now lived over five years and has become a dear little pet to our family. But from what we have read, we thought that he would have died of old age long before now. How old do pet mice actually live?

Answer
You must be doing a great job! Fancy mice usually live 12 - 18 months. However, deer mice are the longest living of all mice (5 years). Although it is normal for a mouse of this species to live this long wild mice do not usually thrive in captivity hence you must be doing a great job. It is also highly unlikely for a mouse to survive a cat, he must be very happy.

Please feel free to ask any more questions.