Spiney Mice with Babies

[Rustina]

Hello Everyone! I hope someone can help. I am a preschool teacher, and as a surprise, I purchased two spiney mice for my four/five year old class. Well, just short of a month ago, Millie had three babies. The parents of the child who took them home for the weekend seperated Mickey and Millie. How long do I need to wait before I put Mickey and Millie and the three babies back together? Also, Mickey is getting fat, and biting; is he "depressed" since they were seperated? Did they need to be seperated? Do I need to seperated the babies from mom, and if so when? I also promised two to the child whose house the babies were born. Is there a seperation process? Mom only wants to take one, would this be okey, or do they need to be in pairs? Any help would be wonderful! Thnak you very much!

[wasat]

Have you considered that putting them will produce more babies?
I have heard that the longer you seperate mice the harder it is to put them back together, but I am not sure that this is true when they are not same sex. This is a site with a species information on your spiney mice, as a teacher you may find interesting.
http://www.press.jhu.edu/books/walke...ae.acomys.html

[ratty_ratkins]

if you have a male and a female there will definally be babies. i wouldnt put them back together but on the other hand its not natural for them to be alone. they are very socail. having had a litter of spinny mice i know that the mature quickly. when they start eating solid foods it should be fine to put the male back in, if you decide to do so.