Fear that my mouse is going insane?

I bought a mouse, Kismet, yesterday. Like all new rodents, he ran from me and didn't eat his given feed for about an hour or so. But after we made contact for a bit, he seemed to have accepted me and allowed me to pick him up and he nibbled his food. It's the second day now and, I'll admit, I did let him roam my room for a quite a long time before bed. Now I think that was a bad idea because all he can think about is escaping. I put my hand in the offer a treat and he climbs up, only to leave his cage. He has an exercise wheel, and before he knew how to use it, climbed on top to scope around. Now he just runs on it for excess amounts of time, thinking that it will let him out. When I remove the wheel from his cafe he climbs on EVERYTHING, jumping at the walls and trying to leave. He devotes so much time into trying to escape, that he won't even eat, drink or sleep. Appearance wise, Kismet looks healthy until you get to the tail. Near the bottom it suddenly is kinked and I can see the veins from afar. He moves very fast now and shakes when I pick him up. Is my fancy mouse crazed? Should I take him back to the pet store?

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Your Kismet is not insane. He is, however, trying to adjust to what amounts to having his whole world turned upside down. Even though he is in a better situation now by having a human to love and care about him, especially since he came from a pet store, it was the life he knew. You can understand why he feels threatened and unsafe because everything has changed and nothing is familiar to him. Please do not think he is anti-social and trying to escape from you because he is not.As for how often he is using his wheel, it is normal. All mice run on the wheel for what seems non-stop. I would worry if he did not use it. As to why, he is merely using it to exercise and not to what he believes to be a means to escape. Make sure you keep tabs that he does not outgrow the wheel because too small of a wheel can damage the spine. My does use the WodentWheel Jr (8" dia) as soon as I get them. It is easy to push and they never get too big for it. I highly recommend continuing with the free range time in a secure and mouse-proofed area of your room. Not only does he get out of the constraints of the cage, but it helps with the bonding process between mouse and human. Also, just because he tries to climb your arm in the hope you will take him out, do not think of it as him trying to escape, but rather that he really enjoyed the opportunity you gave him to explore and play outside the cage. My beloved Houdini was one of the sweetest mice I ever had who loved to fall asleep curled up inside the sleeve of my sweater for hours if I let her; however, I learned otherwise when I foolishly thought I did not need to secure the lid on her bin while I finished drying some accessories just across the room to put back into the newly cleaned bin. In spite of being over 2 years old and no longer having the energy of youth, she was able to jump to the top and take some unsupervised free range time. Since I know for a fact she loved me and was not trying to escape, I took it for what it was which was (besides an act of stupidity on my part for underestimating her), a mouse who did what any mouse would do in that situation: explore.As far as eating/drinking, unless he shows signs of weight loss and/or dehydration, I would not be overly concerned. Mice are crepuscular meaning primarily active during twilight hours: dawn and dusk. As such, he is probably eating during those times. Also, mice do not drink much water so you likely just do not notice. Regarding the kink in his tail, if it just occurred, he may have broke it. Obviously do not pick him up by the base of the tail if this is an injury. (I do not believe in using the tail to pick up mice anyway because too many bad things can occur.) A break often heals on its own without issue, but watch for signs of infection, inflammation or color change because you would need to take him to see the exotic vet. (Most major pet stores have a 14 day ill animal warranty so he should be able to be treated and prescribed any necessary medication at no cost to you.) If, however, he was born with a tail kink, then it is genetics. Since you mention he appears healthy it is merely cosmetics, but it is not recommended mice with tail kinks be bred. Any bubs could have health problems such as spinal, breathing and balance. (My Gertie has a tail kink and I find it rather endearing.) TFM has further details on tail kinks and tail injuries. Two threads of many follow:http://forum.thefunmouse.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21315&p=156818&hilit=tail+kink#p156818http://forum.thefunmouse.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=52947&p=201644&hilit=tail+kink#p201644(If you cannot read the above threads, you will need to register first.)So...do not take it personal that your Kismet wants out of his cage to investigate the world on the other side of the glass (if he is in a tank). Mice are very curious by nature and he clearly enjoyed his play time with you. Offer him plenty of toys inside his home. Not only will they keep him mentally stimulated, but he will be focusing on them; thus, not on what is outside his cage. TFM has a thread on toys to make for little or no cost as well as for making MESs (Mouse Entertainment Systems) which are structures you build from popsicle sticks and non-toxic glue for mice to climb. There is also a thread with pictures of housing set-ups used by fellow mouse lovers that might have ideas you can use for his mouse house. Links follow:http://forum.thefunmouse.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=2044http://forum.thefunmouse.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=9984http://forum.thefunmouse.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5618(Again, if you cannot read the above threads, you will need to register first.)I would consider joining the forum at TFM. It is a great way to become a member of the mouse community and get information about mice from people with years of experience. I have had mice 20+ years, and still find the site useful.

Other Answers:

• Probably curious keep a close eye on him but let him out for some longer time
• Just leave your mouse alone first, let it explore and experience to get used to everything since its his/her first day. While giving it food, observe it quietly. After a day or two, come and make it contact with you slowly so it'll gain trust on you.
• I just got 2 pointsLol