Multimammate Mouse
Mastomys natalensis
Also called Natal multimammate mouse, Natal multimammate rat, African soft-furred mouse, African soft fur rat, Common African rat
From Sub-Saharan Africa1
At a glance the quick version
Wild animals weigh about 15-98 g; domestically bred animals are heavier, about 60-120 g.
Coat and looks how to spot one
soft fur
A soft-furred, rat-like mouse with a long tail. Its back darkens from grey in youth to a warmer reddish brown with age, while the belly stays lighter.21
Personality what they are like
A peaceful, adaptable rodent that is mainly active at night. Neighbouring animals share overlapping home ranges without defending territories.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Mostly nocturnal and ground-dwelling; it likes to dig and rest in burrows, so deep bedding and tunnels suit it.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Self-grooming; provide deep, diggable bedding and regular spot-cleaning.2
Home where they are happiest
A secure, escape-proof enclosure with deep bedding for burrowing and hides, reflecting the wide range of habitats from savanna to farmland that it uses in the wild.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
An omnivore: grasses, leaves, grains and seeds, plus insects.23
Company who they like around
Tolerant of others of its kind; home ranges overlap and it does not defend territory, so compatible groups can be kept together.2
The story where it all began
Described in 1834, this mouse is one of the most widespread rodents in Africa and often lives close to people. It has been kept in laboratories since 1939, is bred as feeder animals for pet snakes, and is sometimes kept as a pet.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Multimammate Mouse. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh food and waterevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- EnrichmentNew things to explore every dayevery day
- Nails checkevery month
- Weigh inevery 2 weeks
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Natal multimammate mouse en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, habitat, history, captive use
- Wikipedia (German): Natal-Vielzitzenmaus de.wikipedia.orgused for body and tail length, weight, coat, teats, litter size, behaviour, diet
- Wikipedia: Mastomys en.wikipedia.orgused for size, weight wild vs domestic, lifespan, diet
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.