This article is from the WSSF 2009 AFRMA Rat & Mouse Tales news-magazine.

By Geri Hauser

Jessica Bratton, age 11, Rogers, AR
QMy name is Jessica Bratton and I am 11 years old. I have a pet rat which I got for my 10th birthday. Her name is Alice. She is a female black Hooded rat. I love her and she is my most prized possession.

A while ago I discovered some wild mice living in the back of my neighbor’s yard. I have seen the mice a lot and was even lucky enough to see three adorable baby mice. I am wondering what kind of mice they are. Their fur has dark brown and tan hairs mixed together. I have looked in books but none of the mice pictured or described are colored that way. Would you please write a letter back if you know what kind of mice they are.

AIt is hard to tell what kind of mice are in your neighbor’s back yard without seeing them or a photo of them. There are a lot of different kinds of wild mice. The most common is the wild house mouse which is the same species as the domestic pet mouse. The natural coloring is called Agouti which is a mix of brown and black hairs. It also depends on what is native to Arkansas. You could try asking a science teacher if he/she would know what they are.