Housing & Environment
As arboreal rodents, African Pygmy Dormice need vertical space and plenty of climbing surfaces. A minimum enclosure for a pair is often a 10–20 gallon tall tank (or a 45x45x60 cm terrarium). However, bigger is better. A 90cm tall enclosure can comfortably house a small colony of 4–6 dormice, provided there are multiple hides, branches, vines, and nest boxes.
Keep temperatures around 21–24°C (70–75°F) for active, healthy dormice. Below ~68°F, breeding will often stop and the risk of torpor increases, which is potentially harmful if it continues. Avoid drafts and ensure the enclosure is escape-proof: dormice can slip through extremely small gaps!
Diet & Feeding
African Pygmy Dormice have no cecum, so they struggle with high-fiber diets typical of many rodents. Instead, they thrive on a varied, omnivorous menu that includes:
- Proteins: Boiled chicken or egg, tuna in water, small amounts of cooked salmon, lean cat kibble, or insects (crickets, mealworms, waxworms)
- Fruits & Veggies: Apple, banana, mango, melon, berries (avoid citrus), tomato, carrots (in moderation)
- Seeds & Nuts: Finch seed mix, millet, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts; rotate to prevent selective eating
- Sap & Nectar Substitutes: Maple syrup (sometimes diluted), honey-soaked parrot treat bars, or specialty sugar glider or gecko “nectar” diets
Remove uneaten fresh foods within 12 hours to prevent spoilage. Always provide a shallow dish of clean water; some dormice adapt to water bottles, but many prefer open water bowls.
Enrichment & Exercise
Dormice cover large distances in the wild, so providing climbing branches, platforms, and a safe running wheel (8” or larger) is key. Many owners use enclosed wheels or “flying saucer” style wheels to protect the dormice’ delicate tails. We use them but some dormice simple don't care for them. We offer at least 2 inches of soft substrate (e.g., aspen or paper based) to encourage digging. Create multiple nest boxes (one for each dormouse plus a spare) filled with paper bedding and bird nesting fibers.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Spot-clean soiled areas every few days and do a complete substrate change every 3–6 weeks. Wash the enclosure with a pet-safe disinfectant and let it air dry completely before returning the animals. If your enclosure develops strong odors more frequently, you may need deeper or different substrate or more frequent spot-cleaning.
Health & Vet Care
African Pygmy Dormice tend to hide signs of illness, so owners must watch closely for changes in weight, coat condition, or activity level. Lethargy, breathing issues, discharge from eyes/nose, or visible injuries warrant immediate veterinary attention. Because they are considered exotic pets, it’s a great idea to find a knowledgeable exotic vet if needed. Please contact us as we can help in many situations as well.
Inadequate temperature or nutrition can lead to torpor or other health problems. These rodents do not require owner grooming; they self-groom thoroughly. Never bathe them as they can easily become chilled or stressed. You can provide sand dishes as some may roll in it!
Breeding (Optional)
African Pygmy Dormice can breed year-round if kept warm and well fed. Gestation is ~24 days, and litters typically range from 3 to 4 pups. Sexing pups is notoriously tricky until about 5 months of age, so many breeders sell them unsexed. We try to sell pairs from unrelated litters.
If you do not wish to breed, consider housing same-sex dormice or maintaining lower temperatures (68°F) to discourage reproduction (though you risk pushing them toward torpor if you go too low).
