Sources and credits

How we rank them

Lab-animal research, veterinary guidelines and government sources first. Mastomys husbandry has a small published literature: a handful of lab colonies that reported their breeding records, plus the AVMA euthanasia guidelines and CDC/FDA public-health notices. Breeder and care-sheet sources next, marked as hobby in every chapter. Our plan is how we are setting up our own colony.

Every chapter ends with its own numbered list. This page collects the core set.

Lab research on Mastomys

• Safronetz, D. et al. (2021), establishing a Mastomys natalensis breeding colony, Viruses, PMC8065687
• Kagira, J. M. et al. (2005), a laboratory-bred Mastomys colony, Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science, PDF
• Baker, C. M. and Meester, J. (1977), postnatal development, Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, PDF
• Lamb, C. E., maternal protein intake and pup development in Mastomys, MSc dissertation, University of Pretoria, repository record (published as Lamb and van Aarde 2001, Journal of Zoology, on M. coucha)
• Choate, T. S. (1972), Zoologica Africana, PDF; Mammalia (1996), Mastomys reproduction in Senegal, PDF
• Rösl (2008), papillomavirus in M. coucha; Nilsson et al. (1992), gastric carcinoids
• Hasche, D. and Rösl, F. (2019), Mastomys species as model systems for infectious diseases, Viruses, PMC6409723
• Scholz and Wilson (2016), Care of Mastomys in the laboratory, PubMed (abstract only; its numbers aren't used)

Lab-animal standards

• Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th ed., via Wayne State and UCLA; UCLA on bedding; UC Davis husbandry policy, including cage changes and CO2 policy; WVU, Texas A&M and Queen's University breeding and handling SOPs
• AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, 2020, PDF
• Dierenfeld, E. S., Alcorn, H. L. and Jacobsen, K. L. (2002), nutrient composition of whole vertebrate prey fed in zoos, PDF (mice, rats and other prey; no ASF data)

Public health and law

• CDC: Salmonella and frozen feeders (2014), MMWR (2012), LCMV at a rodent facility (2012)
• FDA, Salmonella, feeder rodents and pet reptiles
• 42 CFR 71.56; Federal Register, September 8, 2008; California 14 CCR §671 and §671.1, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife restricted species permits page; Hawaii HAR §4-71-6.5 and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture list of conditionally approved animals

Breeders and care sheets (hobby)

• Daniel of Monroe Morphs LLC, who bred ASF for years on five racks of Vision V-35 tubs plus Freedom Breeder, ARS and Vision 70 racks: conversation with Manny, November 2, 2026. Used in the Housing, Food and water, Breeding cycle and Running a colony chapters, marked "Daniel's experience".
• ASF Breeding Hub, ASF Care File v1.2; FurryCritter; MorphMarket Community, each cited where used.

Where the evidence runs out

Not found in any readable source: the estrous cycle length, daily food and water intake, pups weaned per female per month, a space standard written for Mastomys, respiratory disease specific to Mastomys, nutritional analysis of ASF as feeders, and rotational breeding schemes. Where this guide gives a figure for those, it's labelled as an estimate or our plan.