When people think of the word “pet,” cats and dogs are the first animals that pop into their minds–not mice. However, contrary to popular belief, they make for great pets; they don’t require much space, making them perfect for apartment dwellers with strict landlords.

Fancy mice, in particular, are both cute and affectionate, and if you’re looking for an adorable pet with a gorgeous curly coat, you can’t go wrong with adopting a satin rex mouse! So, let’s learn more about this fantastic mouse breed.

What Are Satin Rex Mice?

Satin rex mice are a breed of fancy mice with curly fur and whiskers. Unlike standard rex mice with matte fur, satin mice have a distinctive sheen. 

Although the curly hair mutation is dominant in rex mice, the satin gene, residing in chromosome 13, is primarily recessive and usually passed to the offspring of pure satins. So, most breeders refrain from breeding satin rex mice with non-satin varieties to preserve this recessive gene.

Satin Rex Mice Colors and Coat Types

Satin mice that belong to the rex breed can either have short or long hair. With a dense, curly coat covering their entire body, rex mice also have guard hairs that are slightly longer and rougher than the rest of their fur.

Similar to other satin breeds like the cinnamon, chinchilla, and blue agouti strains, the silky smooth appearance of satin rex mice is usually accompanied by a wide range of shades, including fawn, sable, yellow, and tan.

Rex satins can also have black and white siamese markings. Black and bright ivory/white are also common in satin rex mice. A rex mouse with a darker shade often has more color depth in the belly area and behind its ears. 

Generally, the darker the mouse’s color is, the more pronounced the sanitization effect is.

Double Rex vs. Long Hair Satin Mice

If you’re looking for satin rex mice to buy, you may come across another rex variety: the double rex mouse. However, double rex mice are different from long hair satin mice. 

Although a double rex mouse may be mistaken for a satin due to its translucent skin, it’s actually hairless. Because of their patchy, mostly non-existent coat, double rex mice don’t carry the satin gene like their long-haired counterparts.

How to Care For a Satin Rex

After you get your first satin rex, you may not know how to look after it. Check out the following information.

Get a Suitable Cage and Bedding

To avoid any problems, make sure to buy or build a cage that’s at least 1.5 cubic feet. Since mice are fond of exploring, you can also get a multi-level cage to help it settle in easier.

As for the bedding, shredded paper, pellets, and linen liners are all great options. Just steer away from pine and cedar as they can be lethal to mice and negatively impact their body functions, especially their liver.

Take Care of Its Nutrition and Health

The best way to monitor and ensure your mouse’s health is to offer it fresh, nutritious food. Luckily, rex mice don’t have many dietary restrictions because they’re omnivores. 

Combined with commercial mouse food you can get at your pet store, their diet can consist of apples, chicken liver, and green peas. You may also offer your mouse brown rice, yogurt, and almonds. On the other hand, eliminate chocolate, corn, and insects from your pet’s diet.

In addition to offering your mouse a nutritious diet and keeping its cage away from drafty areas, refer to your vet every once in a while. Satin rex mice are susceptible to parasites, UTIs, and respiratory infections, so an annual health check-up is crucial to keeping your rex mouse in shape.

Should You Buy a Satin Rex From the Pet Store?

In short, no, you shouldn’t purchase a satin rex from your local pet store. To ensure the purity of the genes and high breeding standards, it’s best to look at a litter bred by a recognized satin breeder.

Are Satin Rex Mice Expensive?

Satin Rex mice aren’t expensive. However, long hair varieties cost more than those with a short coat. Regardless of the mouse’s body type, marking, and curl pattern, you shouldn’t expect to pay more than $50. Some breeders also offer competitive discounts and free supplies if you buy more than one satin rex.

How Long Do Satin Rex Mice Live?

Unfortunately, like all mice, the satin rex variety doesn’t have a long lifespan. House-owned rex mice live an average of a year. However, with optimal care and regular vet visits, you can extend their lifespan to two years.

How Do I Ensure That the Satin Rex I’m Getting Is Healthy? 

Inspect the mouse and ensure it’s free of scars, red areas, or yellow teeth. Note that if a rex’s whiskers are droopy or its eyes are dull, this can signify health problems.

Also, make sure that the mouse’s weight is healthy; females usually weigh less than males, but any satin rex shouldn’t weigh less than a pound.

How Do I Know if My Mouse Is Satin? 

The glossy sheen of satin rex mice is very recognizable. However, it can be challenging to pinpoint in white mice. It doesn’t also help that some breeders like to call non-satin mice half-satin just because they carry that recessive gene. So, take the time to touch the rex’s coat, as the soft feel of its fur will help you determine if it’s genuine satin.

Can Hairless Mice Live With Satin Rex Mice? 

Hairless mice (double rex mice) can co-exist with satin strains provided that they have a large enough cage. Based on information on this breed, hairless varieties find socializing with other mice super fun, thanks to their affectionate temperament. 

The Bottom Line

With its adorable big ears, gorgeous colors, and distinct markings, a satin rex mouse makes for a perfect companion for those looking for a low-maintenance pet. 

However, when choosing a rex mouse, schedule an in-person meeting with recognized breeders and don’t rely on the pictures you find on their websites. This way, you can ensure that you’re choosing from different color varieties and getting satin mice with pure genes.