Fuzzy Hairless Mouse

Coat and looks how to spot one

Frizzled / fuzzy (fz gene)

Instead of a normal coat, this mouse wears a very short, dense layer of tight curls that sits right down against the skin, giving a velvety, almost bare look. AFRMA likens the feel to the soft side of Velcro. The whiskers are curly too.1

Personality what they are like

Has the usual fancy mouse personality: lively, inquisitive and quick, best handled gently and low down.4

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Very active, mainly at night and around dawn and dusk. Provide a solid running wheel, tunnels, ropes and things to climb, plus scattered food for foraging.456

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

No brushing required. Spot-clean the cage daily, do a full clean every one to two weeks and check the water every day.56

Home where they are happiest

A secure, well-ventilated cage with dust-free bedding, nesting paper or hay, hides with two exits and climbing items, away from draughts.5

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Complete mouse nuggets as the base, small amounts of fruit and vegetables, and fresh water from a bottle at all times.6

Company who they like around

Needs other mice; keep in a settled single-sex group, ideally of females or of brothers raised together.7

The story where it all began

The AFRMA first accepted this curly, close-cropped coat for its unstandardised class in 2008. It later dropped off the list, came back in 2022 and was made a full standard variety that same year.1

Recognised by the official bits

American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFRMA)

Shown as Frizzled (a.k.a. Fuzzy). Accepted as unstandardised on 9 February 2008, dropped in December 2012, reintroduced in January 2022 and standardised on 31 August 2022.1

National Mouse Club (UK)

AFRMA notes that the same coat is called Rex by the National Mouse Club.1