African Dormouse Care Sheet
Enclosure, diet, grouping, and enrichment for Graphiurus murinus, from keepers who raise them.
Last updated June 1, 2026
African dormice are tiny, arboreal, highly social rodents that thrive on height, clutter, and company. They’re a display-and-observe animal more than a handling pet — plan your setup around watching them, not holding them.
Enclosure
- Go vertical. A tall enclosure (think 24”+ of usable height) beats a wide one. Fill it with branches, cork, ropes, and foliage.
- Escape-proof. They are astonishing escape artists. Use fine mesh or glass with tight-fitting, well-ventilated lids — bar spacing that stops a mouse will not stop a dormouse.
- Substrate. A deep, absorbent substrate with leaf litter encourages natural foraging.
Temperature & humidity
Room temperature (68–78°F) is generally fine. Avoid drafts and direct sun. Moderate ambient humidity is adequate; mist lightly if your home is very dry.
Diet
A varied diet keeps them healthy:
- High-quality rodent or insectivore base mix
- Live insects (crickets, dubia, mealworms) several times a week
- Small amounts of fruit and the occasional nut as enrichment
Social grouping
Keep same-sex pairs or small groups from the same litter. Introductions between unfamiliar adults are risky — do them slowly and be ready to separate. Never house males and females together unless you intend to breed.
Enrichment
Rotate branches, add wheels sized for small rodents, and hide food to trigger foraging. A bored dormouse is a stressed dormouse.