How to Breed Laboratory Mice for Reptile Food

Many snakes and other reptiles feed almost exclusively off feeder mice, which are standard white laboratory mice that come in various sizes. If you keep several reptiles that need to eat frequently, purchasing feeder mice can be costly. If you're a serious keeper, you may wish to breed your own feeder mice. Breeding laboratory mice for use as feeders is not difficult, but it does require patience and care.

Things You'll Need

  • Breeder cages (plastic tubs with tight-fitting lids and air holes)
  • Pine bedding
  • Hanging water bottles
  • Plastic mouse shelter
  • Mouse food, 15 percent protein at least
  • Female adult mouse
  • Male adult mouse
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the breeding cage. These cages can be made out of glass or plastic and often have wire tops. You can make your own with a clear plastic tub with a tight-fitting lid and air holes drilled throughout. The cage should have bedding made with pine shavings, a water bottle, and a little plastic shelter where the female mouse will usually have her babies. A bowl should contain food that contains at least 15 percent protein to avoid cannibalism.

    • 2

      Introduce the male and female breeding pair. They may fight for a bit, but they will almost always eventually copulate. After a few weeks, the female will swell up in the belly, indicating pregnancy. Keep the mice regularly fed by keeping the food bowl full. To increase productivity, place several females in a cage with a singe male.

    • 3

      Remove the females once they begin to show signs of pregnancy. Place them in their own breeder cages. These cages should be set up exactly like the original cage. After three weeks of gestation, the females will give birth to up to a dozen pinkies. The female will care for her young for several weeks after birth.

    • 4

      Remove the baby mice after they have begun eating food out of the bowl and place them in their own cages. This usually occurs in three to four weeks. You may also remove the pinkies and use them as food, as some smaller reptiles prefer smaller meals.

    • 5

      Place the females that just gave birth back into the breeding cages with the male as soon as the babies are weaned from the mother's milk. They will get pregnant again immediately. Repeat the process.