Uploaded August 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
When Midas first came back to my place he loved humans but did not know what to do with other mice.
His story is a little bit complicated. I bred Brampton with Faye because I knew this combination would give me some super friendly, human orientated little mice and Midas and his sisters fulfilled this promise very well. I found good homes for them all. Midas went to my intern Rachel. She had him for around two months and then he started having skin problems. This is very common in un-neutered male mice, especially high energy ones like little Midas. Living alone with all that pent up energy makes them neurotic and some will let out that energy by scratching excessively. Since they mark territory wherever they go, especially on their wheel, their feet get dirty and the scratching causes skin infections, especially in and around their ears. This makes their ears more itchy and they scratch even more. The cycle can lead to them scratching their skin raw and their ears right off. Many mice will eventually need to be euthanized to end their suffering. If is very complicated to treat, so Midas came back to my place.
His skin issue has proven especially stubborn, with his neutering and all the vet visits and medications I have tried, he is now officially the most expensive mouse I have ever owned (so worth it though). I have finally found the right medicine (Maxitrol) and his ears are now healing up nicely, but he will always be special needs and will need to stay with me for the rest of his life.
Because he is well bred and spent his first few months with Rachel (no one can create an ultra affectionate mouse better than a 13 year old girl who is very talented with animals lol) he is VERY human orientated. When he first came he was very aggressive towards all mice and very needy with humans, always wanting reassurance and affection.
His first free run was quite amazing, he spent most of his time on my lap, only occasionally leaving to chase off any mouse who dared to get too close. It was a behavior I never would have expected from a mouse, most just want to explore during free run. He is such an awesome little guy. Today he is better socialized when it comes to other mice. He is neutered, his ear issue is almost completely under control and he lives very happily with two little females he adores. He still loves humans, just no longer with the same neediness and obsession.
Warning: Complete free run is dangerous for very tiny animals like mice. Only do it if the mouse room is 100% escape proof and mouse safe. Make sure no one can suddenly come into the room. Take off you shoes and socks, preferably wear shorts, so you can feel if a mouse is underfoot. Move very carefully, always be aware of where the mice are and than one moment of inattention can end a mouse's life. I rarely allow complete free run, mostly they are just allowed to run on my art table. They do love freedom though, so once in a while, as a special treat, I will set things up for complete free run in the studio.
When Midas first came back to my place he loved humans but did not know what to do with other mice.
His story is a little bit complicated. I bred Brampton with Faye because I knew this combination would give me some super friendly, human orientated little mice and Midas and his sisters fulfilled this promise very well. I found good homes for them all. Midas went to my intern Rachel. She had him for around two months and then he started having skin problems. This is very common in un-neutered male mice, especially high energy ones like little Midas. Living alone with all that pent up energy makes them neurotic and some will let out that energy by scratching excessively. Since they mark territory wherever they go, especially on their wheel, their feet get dirty and the scratching causes skin infections, especially in and around their ears. This makes their ears more itchy and they scratch even more. The cycle can lead to them scratching their skin raw and their ears right off. Many mice will eventually need to be euthanized to end their suffering. If is very complicated to treat, so Midas came back to my place.
His skin issue has proven especially stubborn, with his neutering and all the vet visits and medications I have tried, he is now officially the most expensive mouse I have ever owned (so worth it though). I have finally found the right medicine (Maxitrol) and his ears are now healing up nicely, but he will always be special needs and will need to stay with me for the rest of his life.
Because he is well bred and spent his first few months with Rachel (no one can create an ultra affectionate mouse better than a 13 year old girl who is very talented with animals lol) he is VERY human orientated. When he first came he was very aggressive towards all mice and very needy with humans, always wanting reassurance and affection.
His first free run was quite amazing, he spent most of his time on my lap, only occasionally leaving to chase off any mouse who dared to get too close. It was a behavior I never would have expected from a mouse, most just want to explore during free run. He is such an awesome little guy. Today he is better socialized when it comes to other mice. He is neutered, his ear issue is almost completely under control and he lives very happily with two little females he adores. He still loves humans, just no longer with the same neediness and obsession.
Warning: Complete free run is dangerous for very tiny animals like mice. Only do it if the mouse room is 100% escape proof and mouse safe. Make sure no one can suddenly come into the room. Take off you shoes and socks, preferably wear shorts, so you can feel if a mouse is underfoot. Move very carefully, always be aware of where the mice are and than one moment of inattention can end a mouse's life. I rarely allow complete free run, mostly they are just allowed to run on my art table. They do love freedom though, so once in a while, as a special treat, I will set things up for complete free run in the studio.
