Life span: 1-1/2 to 3 years. 2 years being the average.
Maturity:
4-1/2 - 8 weeks of age, depends on mouse. This is the time that males and females should
be separated..
Females estrus
(heat) cycle: Every 4 to 5 days all year round until becoming pregnant. Ovulation occurs only for twelve hours
Optimal Breeding
Age: best breeding age for a female mouse is between the ages of 3 months and 8 months.
Gestation:
19-24 days. The average is 20 days.
Postpartum
Estrus: A female can come back into heat 14-28 hours after giving birth! So make sure the male is out of
her cage. Never allow your female to have back to back litters as it is bad for them and their babies.
Litter size: Normally between 9 and 12 pups. First time mothers often has fewer pups. So anywhere from 1-24 pups.
Weaning:
4 weeks of age. It is best not to take the babies from their mother until they are 4 weeks of age.
