Mice making weird noises!

[AlbinoFroggy]

Ive had my mice about 5/ 6 months now and im past few weeks they've been acting a little strange. When i bought them I thought i was buying 2 females and a male from the pet shop discriptions as I intended to breed them but im led to believe they are all female because of how they look like underneath, though im not certain about sexing mice.
When I have a look when i hear the noise it seems to be coming from the lighter coloured one 'Emily' but im not sure if any of the others are making the same noise.
For anyone who can give me advise, is this normal or something to be concerned about?

I have a video taken when i was cleaning them out this afternoon.
Thanks for suggestions

YouTube - mice making wierd noises!




Ps. I am sniffling in thsi video because I have a cold just to stop confusion of the two noises.[/URL]

[SethD]

Sounds like a defensive noise to me, possibly they were upset by you or by each other.

[AlbinoFroggy]

They make the sound alot when im not near them. However they do seem to go at each other, snatch food and stuff. Maybe they need more space?

[Digital]

Ok, to answer about sexing. Males will have a sac and you will be able to see it hanging behind them when they walk around. When you pick them up it will go inside of them and this is not a joke. It's true.

The problem with housing females and only females. Is the dominance, since their is no males present, one of the female's become more dominant then the others. The rule of thumb when breeding mice or rat's is to keep one male and at least 2-3 females. Also when they do breed remove the male and females. Cuss they are known to still each other babies and eat them. Sometimes they might take care of them. But 90% of the time eat them out of jealousy. Also it's normal if the mother eats the babies as well. So don't freak out. It might because she knows the baby is sick or not healthy. Like dis-formed.

If you plan on keeping the females, I would advise to separate them. If one female feels overwhelm or annoyed by the others. She will kill them, or injure them.

And most people think mice are nice little friendly animals...

[AlbinoFroggy]

thanks, that really interesting information, i did look stuff up but i didnt look in detail. From that information I think I have three females. And there is definatly a dominate one, and it seems to be Emily the one making the noises, but i thought females would be okay to be together. I will have to reconsider housing them. To be honest I cleaned them out a few week ago and there was red stuff in a corner, wasnt sure what it were but I cheaked the mice and they all seemed fine.
Thankyou!

[Digital]

The red stuff could be blood most likely. I seen it happen a lot, mice will end up fighting till one backs down. Like in the wild, one is always going challenge the dominate one for dominance. Witch usually ends up with a wounded mouse or even a dead one. Once the one find's out how strong the other is, she more likely to try it again later. Unless the dominate one can hold her ground, the fight will keep continuing.