Pregnant mouse

Question
QUESTION: Hiya. I bought 2 female 'fancy' (black with beige belly and chests) mice 2 weeks ago. Over the past few days, we've realised that 1 of them is pregnant. They are both girls, sisters in fact, so she must have been pregnant when we bought her. Am I ok to leave the 2 of them together, they sleep together and groom each other and it seems a shame to split them, but obviously, I don't want anything to happen the the babies. I know gerbils help each other out with young, but I'm new to mice and don't know whats the right thing to do.
I'm also having a hard time taming them. they're still as nervous as the day I bought them. They're in a large glass tank, in the lounge, so they can see and hear the noise all day, but they still bolt as soon as I speak to them. Any tips on how to win them over?
Many thanks, Carla x

ANSWER: Hi!

Congratulations on your black tan beauties! :-) There's no absolute, set in stone way to go about this situation. Some breeders choose to leave a pregnant mouse with a 'midwife', often a mouse who's already given birth and knows her way about the situation. Personally I'd separate the two in this situation, as they seem stressed for some reason. Stress can also cause the mother to abandon or even eat her young, and I'd recommend placing her habitat in a quiet room. Separating may also make it easier for them to befriend with you!

The cautiousness they're showing now may very well be caused by their early, stressful life as a petstore mouse in a mixed sex group. Let them get to know you slowly, put your hand in the tank with some treats and wait patiently. The mice, being naturally curious, will eventually come and sniff your hand. Keep doing this several times a day, and they'll associate the treats with your scent (and voice, if you keep on chattering to them!). Sooner or later they'll bolt out of their nest instead as soon as they hear your voice. :-)

Hope this was of any use, good luck with the girls!

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

QUESTION: Just to let you know, I didn't have chance to separate them, as she gave birth while I was at work, and I was bringing an extra cage home with me that day! My husband witnessed the birth, and the 'nanny/midwife' mouse helped with the birth, cleaning up the pups as soon as they were born (he thought at first she was eating them) and has helped with them since. She cleans them when mom goes for something to eat and mom, nanny and babies all sleep together. It's a total joy to watch. I suppose it just fell lucky that they are all getting along so well. Am I right in thinking that you shouldn't handle them until they're 14 days old? I know not to go near or disturb them yet, but was wondering how long I should leave it. And how old should they be before I separate them, before they can breed with each other. Thanks so much for your help. Carla x  

Answer
Congratulations with the newborns! Some breeders choose not to handle the babies during their 'flea-age', generally the time from when they open their eyes (around the 12th day) to about four weeks old. Flea-age gets its name from the youngs' behaviour - they may jump around ignoring all laws of graviation, which can be fatal if they decide to start jumping while you're holding them! Personally what I do with newborns after their third day, is take the mother (and this case the sister as well) somewhere else and keep my hand near the babies about 5-10 minutes couple of times a day. This way they'll get to know your scent, and by separating the mother during this you won't make her worry either.

You'll need to find out their gender and separate them at the age of 3,5 - 4 weeks. Good luck and best wishes to the babies!