Pet Wiki

Caracul Mouse

Mus musculus

Also called Caracul

VarietyShort profile

From A fancy mouse coat caused by the caracul gene (keratin 71, symbol Krt71) on mouse chromosome 15.1

At a glance the quick version

Length6 to 8 cm23
Lifespan1.5 to 3 years234
Sizetiny
Wavy baby coat and curved whiskers
Plush, soft adult coat
Busy and curious
14

Coat and looks how to spot one

Wavy coat that turns plush

Babies have a wavy coat and curved whiskers. The waves start to straighten at about four weeks, and the adult coat looks plush, with a small kink at the tip of each hair. One copy of the gene looks the same as two.1

ColoursAny fancy mouse colour1

Personality what they are like

Coat type has no effect on character, so these are typical fancy mice: lively, curious and happiest with mouse company. With calm, gentle handling close to the ground they settle well and seldom nip, and the AFRMA expects every show mouse to be easy to handle.345

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Busy and quick, most active at night and around dusk and dawn. Offer a solid-surface wheel, ropes, branches, tubes and tunnels, and scatter part of the food so they can forage.467

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

No special grooming: mice keep themselves clean. Dust-free bedding and regular cleaning keep the coat nice.6

Home where they are happiest

A roomy, escape-proof cage with bar gaps under 5 mm, at least 2 cm of dust-free bedding plus paper or hay for nesting, hides with more than one exit, a solid wheel and climbing items. Keep it well ventilated, out of draughts and away from heat.6

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Complete mouse nuggets as the main food, with small portions of vegetables and fruit counted into the daily amount. Scatter some of the ration for foraging and provide fresh water from a bottle, checked daily.7

Company who they like around

Sociable animals that do best in stable, same-sex groups. Females usually live together easily; males are best kept with brothers they grew up with. Avoid swapping members in a settled group.83

The story where it all began

Caracul is one of several curly genes in mice. Breeders often combine it with other curl genes, because on its own it gives only gentle curls.19

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    The caracul gene has 16 known versions (alleles).1

  2. 2

    Each caracul hair has a tiny kink right at the tip.1

  3. 3

    The waves start to straighten when the babies are only about four weeks old.1

  4. 4

    The gene's official name is keratin 71, a protein that helps shape hair.1

Recognised by the official bits

Fancy clubs
Curly coats like caracul are shown with other curly mice (AFRMA class Frizzie).9

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Caracul Mouse. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Hamster and Gerbil Fresh Veggie and Herb Mix

A simple, safe daily supplement that provides essential vitamins, hydration and enrichment for hamsters and gerbils.

You need

  • 1 small piece of carrot (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of broccoli (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of cucumber (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of apple (without seeds, about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small leaf of basil or parsley

How

  1. Wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Cut the carrot, broccoli, cucumber and apple into pieces no larger than a pea.
  3. Tear the herb leaf into tiny pieces.
  4. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  5. Offer a total of 1.5 to 4.5 teaspoons of this mix per day, depending on the size of your pet.

How much: 1.5 to 4.5 teaspoons per day for hamsters and gerbils

Recipe from Oxbow Animal Health

Rat-Friendly Veggie and Egg Treat

Rats are omnivores and enjoy a varied diet. This treat provides protein and enrichment, and encourages natural foraging behaviour.

You need

  • 1 small slice of carrot (about 1cm thick)
  • 1 small floret of broccoli
  • 1 small slice of cucumber (about 1cm thick)
  • 1 small slice of apple (without seeds, about 1cm thick)
  • 1 small piece of cooked egg (about the size of a pea)

How

  1. Wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Cut carrot, broccoli, cucumber and apple into small pieces (about 1cm cubes).
  3. Cook an egg until hard-boiled, then cool and peel. Take a small piece about the size of a pea.
  4. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  5. Offer this as part of your rat’s daily food allowance, not in addition to it.

How much: A small amount as part of daily food allowance for rats

Recipe from RSPCA

Small Furries Safe Snack Plate

A selection of safe, low-sugar vegetables and herbs that can be offered as occasional treats to hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice.

You need

  • 1 small piece of carrot (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of broccoli (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of cucumber (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of apple (without seeds, about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small leaf of basil or parsley

How

  1. Wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Cut carrot, broccoli, cucumber and apple into pieces no larger than a pea.
  3. Tear the herb leaf into tiny pieces.
  4. Arrange on a small plate or scatter in the cage for foraging enrichment.
  5. Offer only in small amounts alongside their regular pelleted food.

How much: A small amount as an occasional treat for hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice

Recipe from Burgess Pet Care

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Caracul Mouse?

Feed your Caracul Mouse daily with complete mouse nuggets as the main food, plus small portions of vegetables and fruit. Scatter some of the ration for foraging and always provide fresh water from a bottle, checked daily.7

What should a Caracul Mouse eat, and which foods are dangerous?

Complete mouse nuggets should be the main diet, with small amounts of safe vegetables and fruit. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, avocado, and anything with xylitol. For a full list, ask your vet.710

Should I bathe a Caracul Mouse?

No, Caracul Mice keep themselves clean and do not need baths. Dust-free bedding and regular cage cleaning are enough to keep their coat nice.6

Does a Caracul Mouse need brushing?

No, Caracul Mice do not need brushing. They groom themselves, and their wavy coat stays healthy with proper bedding and cleaning.6

How do I look after a Caracul Mouse's nails and teeth?

Nail and teeth care varies by individual. Provide chew toys and a solid wheel to help wear them down naturally. Ask your exotic-pet vet for specific advice on trimming if needed.

How much space and exercise does a Caracul Mouse need?

Provide a roomy, escape-proof cage with at least 2 cm of dust-free bedding and plenty of climbing items. A solid-surface wheel, ropes, tubes, and tunnels will keep your mouse active. Scatter food for foraging fun.64

Should a Caracul Mouse live alone or with friends?

Caracul Mice are sociable and do best in stable, same-sex groups. Females usually live together easily, while males are happiest with brothers they grew up with. Avoid swapping members in a settled group.83

How long does a Caracul Mouse live?

Caracul Mice typically live between 1.5 and 3 years. With good care, they can enjoy a full, happy life within that range.234

Is a Caracul Mouse a good pet for children?

Caracul Mice can be good pets for children with calm, gentle handling close to the ground. They are lively and curious but seldom nip when handled properly. Always supervise interactions to keep both child and mouse safe.345

How do I hold a Caracul Mouse?

Hold your Caracul Mouse gently and close to the ground to make them feel secure. Use calm, slow movements and let them get used to your hands. Always supervise and never squeeze.345

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.

  1. Hiiret.fi: Mouse genetics, coat genes hiiret.fiused for caracul gene, coat description, fun facts
  2. MSD Veterinary Manual - Description and Physical Characteristics of Mice msdvetmanual.comused for weight, length, lifespan
  3. Fancy mouse - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for weight, length, lifespan, temperament, social needs, coat variety overview
  4. RSPCA - Mice rspca.org.ukused for lifespan, activity, handling
  5. AFRMA - Fancy Mice (standards and colours) afrma.orgused for general mouse standard, show length, variety list, colours, temperament requirement
  6. RSPCA - Mice environment rspca.org.ukused for housing, bedding, cleaning
  7. RSPCA - Mice diet rspca.org.ukused for diet, foraging
  8. RSPCA - Mice company rspca.org.ukused for social needs
  9. AFRMA: Fancy Mice varieties afrma.orgused for Frizzie class
  10. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions

Checked 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.