The multimammate mouse, or African soft-furred rat, is a prolific African murid bred in huge numbers as feeder stock but also kept as an inquisitive pet. Wild populations are the principal reservoir of Lassa virus in West Africa, so source from established captive colonies and check local rules, as it is restricted or regulated in some regions.
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Body about 10-15 cm with a tail of similar length; weight roughly 30-80 g, intermediate between a mouse and a small rat.
Lifespan
2–4 years
Social needs
group
Native region
Sub-Saharan Africa, widespread across savanna and human-modified habitats.
Origin
Old World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Family
Muridae
Genus
Mastomys
Part of the Fancy Mice
Small, fast-breeding murid rodents kept as colony pets and display animals, including domesticated house mice and specialty species like the spiny and grass mice. Most are highly social, best in single-sex groups, and prized more for watching than handling.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Group vivarium
80 × 40 × 40 cm for a small group
Multimammate (African soft-furred) mice are highly social and need to be kept in same-sex groups or pairs. A secure escape-proof tank/vivarium with deep bedding, hides, and a wheel.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Larger enriched vivarium
100 × 50 × 50 cm with climbing
Larger glass tank or bin with 15+ cm bedding, multiple hides, a sand bath, branches, and a quiet wheel. They are stronger jumpers and more agile than fancy mice.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Bioactive group setup
120 cm+ planted bioactive
Large bioactive enclosure with planted areas, burrowing substrate, and varied terrain for a stable group. Note: they are escape artists and can interbreed — keep single-sex.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
Photo coming soon
Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Natural
representative
Wild-type agouti
Soft, dense greyish-brown agouti fur over a paler belly; the standard appearance of nearly all captive and feeder stock.
Selectively bred (man-made)
representative
Cinnamon / dilute
Lighter warm-brown and dilute coats appearing in some captive lines; color variety is limited compared with fancy mice and not formally standardized.
Habitat & enclosure
House a same-sex group in a secure glass tank or fine-bar cage at least 60 x 40 cm for a small group, with more space for larger colonies. They are agile climbers and enthusiastic diggers, so provide deep substrate, hides, branches, tubes, and a solid wheel. Keep them at normal room temperature, roughly 20-26 C (68-79 F), away from drafts and damp; a low-wattage thermostatically controlled heat source may help in cold homes. Good ventilation reduces ammonia buildup, to which they are sensitive. A secure lid is essential because they are strong, determined escape artists.
Substrate
Use deep, absorbent, dust-free bedding such as paper-based products or aspen, with plenty of nesting material. Avoid cedar and pine shavings. Spot-clean frequently and do full changes often to control ammonia, to which their airways are sensitive.
Equipment & setup
Secure glass tank or fine-mesh cage with a tight lid, water bottle, solid exercise wheel, hides and tunnels, climbing furniture, cuttlebone/chews, thermometer, and a thermostatically controlled heat source for cool rooms. No UVB required.
Diet
Feed a balanced rodent or rat/mouse pellet or lab block as the staple, supplemented with a modest seed mix, fresh vegetables, occasional fruit, and small amounts of animal protein such as insects or boiled egg. They are prone to obesity on rich seed-heavy diets, so keep fatty treats limited. Provide a cuttlebone or gnawing material for incisor wear and constant access to fresh water via bottle.
Behavior & temperament
Multimammate mice are nocturnal-to-crepuscular, social, and best kept in single-sex groups; lone animals tend to become stressed. They are curious and can become reasonably tame with patient, gentle handling, but they are quick, can be nippy if startled, and tolerate handling less readily than fancy rats. They breed extraordinarily fast and in large litters, which is why they dominate the feeder trade. Provide enrichment and foraging to keep these busy, intelligent rodents occupied.
Health
Hardy when kept clean, warm, and dry. Watch for obesity, respiratory infection in ammonia-heavy or damp setups, and overgrown incisors without gnawing items. The major public-health consideration is that wild Mastomys are a natural reservoir of Lassa virus and other zoonoses in parts of West Africa; long-established captive colonies free of the virus pose no Lassa risk, but acquire animals only from reputable closed colonies, practice good hygiene, and check local import/keeping rules. Their runaway breeding means unplanned overpopulation is the most common practical problem.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Always keep single-sex groups unless deliberately breeding, because litters arrive fast and frequently. Buy only from established captive colonies and wash hands after contact given the wild reservoir status. Secure every gap — they are escape specialists. Tame slowly with hand-feeding, and avoid grabbing; scoop gently to limit nipping. Check your state/country rules, as this species is restricted or regulated in some places.
