Pet Wiki

Texel Mouse

Mus musculus

Also called Long Haired Frizzie, Long-haired rex mouse

VarietyShort profile

From A fancy mouse coat bred by hobby breeders, named after the curly Texel guinea pig.1

At a glance the quick version

Length6 to 8 cm23
Lifespan1.5 to 3 years234
Sizetiny
Fluffy curls like a tiny lamb
Curly whiskers
Lively and fun to watch
14

Coat and looks how to spot one

Long, curly coat

A long-haired mouse with curls, usually made by combining a dominant rex gene for the curl with a long-hair gene. With most curly genes the curl relaxes as the mouse grows up, while some recessive frizzie lines keep more of it. Whiskers are curly too.15

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.346

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.478

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Mice groom themselves, but long curls can pick up bedding. Use dust-free bedding and check the coat stays clean, especially around the back end.7

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.7

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.8

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.93

The story where it all began

Breeders combined long hair with curly genes, and the name was borrowed from the Texel guinea pig. The mouse fancy itself dates back to 1895, when Walter Maxey founded the National Mouse Club in England.13

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    The Texel mouse is named after the curly Texel guinea pig.1

  2. 2

    At AFRMA shows every curly mouse, short or long haired, competes as a Frizzie.1

  3. 3

    Many curly mice lose most of their curl as adults.1

  4. 4

    Fancy mouse shows have run since 1895, when the first National Mouse Club show was held in Lincoln.3

Recognised by the official bits

AFRMA
Curly mice, short or long haired, are shown together as Frizzie (or Frizzie Satin); Frizzie was standardised on 31 Aug 2022.1
AFRMA
Frizzie standard: tightly waved or frizzed, dense coat with curly whiskers.5

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Texel 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 Texel Mouse?

Feed your Texel Mouse daily with complete mouse nuggets as the main food, plus small portions of vegetables and fruit counted into the daily amount. Scatter some of the ration for foraging and always provide fresh water from a bottle, checked daily.8

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

The main diet is complete mouse nuggets, with small amounts of vegetables and fruit. Dangerous foods include chocolate, caffeine, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, and xylitol, check the full list from ASPCA and avoid anything not meant for mice.810

Should I bathe a Texel Mouse?

No, mice groom themselves and do not need baths. Just use dust-free bedding and check that the long curly coat stays clean, especially around the back end.7

Does a Texel Mouse need brushing?

There is no specific guidance on brushing for Texel Mice. Ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet for advice on caring for the long, curly coat.

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

Nail and tooth care varies by individual. Provide chew toys and a solid wheel to help wear them down naturally, and ask your vet for specific trimming advice if needed.

How much space and exercise does a Texel Mouse need?

A roomy, escape-proof cage with bar gaps under 5 mm is essential. Offer a solid-surface wheel, ropes, branches, tubes, and tunnels, and scatter part of the food so they can forage, they are most active at night and dusk.748

Should a Texel Mouse live alone or with friends?

Texel Mice are sociable and 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.93

How long does a Texel Mouse live?

Texel Mice typically live between 1.5 and 3 years. With good care and a healthy diet, they can enjoy their full lifespan.234

Is a Texel Mouse a good pet for children?

Yes, with calm, gentle handling close to the ground they settle well and seldom nip. They are lively and curious, so children should be supervised to ensure gentle interaction.346

How do I hold a Texel Mouse?

Hold your Texel Mouse gently and close to the ground so they feel secure. With calm handling they settle well and are unlikely to nip.346

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? [email protected].

  1. AFRMA: Texel Mice (a.k.a. Long Haired Frizzie) afrma.orgused for coat, genetics, name, show class
  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 varieties afrma.orgused for Frizzie standard
  6. AFRMA - Fancy Mice (standards and colours) afrma.orgused for general mouse standard, show length, variety list, colours, temperament requirement
  7. RSPCA - Mice environment rspca.org.ukused for housing, bedding, cleaning
  8. RSPCA - Mice diet rspca.org.ukused for diet, foraging
  9. RSPCA - Mice company rspca.org.ukused for social needs
  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.