Colors of Pet Mice

Mice are social and highly intelligent, which makes them popular pets. Breeders specializing in pet mice have greatly increased the availability of mice in fancy colors. Though color does not correlate neatly with temperament, when breeders breed only for a specific color instead of for health or temperament, the quality of your pet may be affected. Ask lots of questions when buying a mouse from a breeder, and get health guarantees when buying from pet stores.

  1. Albino

    • Albino mice have white fur and red eyes, and are among the most well-known and popular mice. These mice are readily available in pet stores and are some people frequently use use them as feeder mice for bigger animals.

    Dark Colors

    • In the wild, most mice are brown or black. You commonly find dark-colored mice in pet stores , often bred by mouse breeders. Because dark coloration is a genetic "default" for mice, most dark mice are not specifically bred to have this color. This means that they may be healthier and friendlier because a breeder has not focused solely on creating a particular color.

    Bald Mice

    • Bald mice are mice with no hair. They are typically slightly wrinkled and flesh colored. This type of mouse is a novelty that began increasing in popularity during the 1990s. Though these mice can make great pets, they are more sensitive to cold than other mice. Keep them in warm -- though not hot -- areas of the home.

    Fancy Mice

    • "Fancy mouse" is a term loosely applied to any mouse with unique colors, particularly mice with spots or patterns. Fancy mice sold in pet stores are commonly white with bands of black and brown, particularly around the face. Other fancy mouse colors include tan, reddish and white with brown spots. Some breeders fancy mice bred for other traits as well. They may have very long or very short hair, large ears or a velvety fur texture.