Mastomys (Multimammate mice)

Mastomys (Multimammate mice) are small African rodents that play a key role in the diets of predators inhabiting savanna ecosystems. While primarily found in Sub-Saharan Africa, mastomys are extremely adaptable in terms of habitat. They inhabit environments ranging from grasslands to forests and agricultural areas, making them a natural food source for a wide variety of predators – from birds and snakes to carnivorous mammals.

Size and Uses of Frozen Mastomys

In our feeder and whole prey store, we offer frozen mastomys in sizes ranging from 10 to 50g, allowing you to choose the appropriate prey size for your animal’s needs. We particularly recommend mastomys as whole prey for cats, feeders for snakes and birds of prey, and as a natural diet for animals from Sub-Saharan ecosystems living in zoos.

Which predators eat mastomys in the wild?

Mastomys serve as a key food source for a wide range of predators, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Scientific studies have confirmed that the following species regularly include mastomys in their diet:

Mastomys for Birds of Prey

Among birds of prey known to hunt mastomys are the Barn Owl, as well as:

• Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)
• Black-and-white Eagle Buzzard (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)
• Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
• Red-backed Hawk (Buteo polyosoma)
• Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
• Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia)
• Southern Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium nanum)

Mastomys – Whole Prey for Cats and Other Mammals

But it’s not only birds of prey that feed on mastomys in the wild. Multimammate rodents are an important food item for many carnivorous mammals. Studies list among their natural predators:

• Mongooses
• Wild cats (e.g. servals)
• Genets and civets (family Viverridae)
• Andean fox (Pseudalopex culpaeus)
• Jackals

Mastomys for Snakes and Other Reptiles

Mastomys are widely known as a favored feeder for snakes, offering a valuable and appreciated alternative to frozen mice or rats. Research points to numerous snake species and even some lizards (e.g. tegus) as potential predators of mastomys in the wild.

Mastomys as Feeders and Whole Prey – For Which Animals?

Thanks to their natural origin and rich nutritional profile, mastomys make an excellent food source for animals kept in homes, zoos, and wildlife parks.

Mastomys are especially recommended as feeders for snakes, including pythons, boas, and Taiwanese ratsnakes. In the wild, cobras and vipers also prey on them. In captivity, they’re a valued dietary addition for predatory lizards such as monitors, iguanas, and tegus.

Mastomys are also appreciated by falconers and bird of prey keepers, serving as a natural food for owls, hawks, eagles, and falcons. In wildlife rehabilitation centers, mastomys are valued for their natural appearance, which closely resembles the typical prey of the birds and mammals under care.

Mastomys are an ideal whole prey option not only for exotic carnivorous mammals (e.g. genets, fennec foxes, mongooses, servals), but also as a healthy, species-appropriate food for domestic cats fed a natural diet. A fun fact: the origin of mastomys aligns closely with the likely ancestral homeland of domestic cats.