Buy Live Albino Rats & Mice In Nigeria | Cost, Feeding, Breeding & Profit

If you want to buy live albino rats and mice in Nigeria for laboratory research, breeding, teaching or other legitimate purposes, prices currently start from about ₦1,500 for an albino rat and ₦1,000 for an albino mouse through MyGoToVet. Buyers can choose the sex and size required, there is no minimum order, and orders can be delivered nationwide. Larger orders are produced on preorder, while smaller available orders may be supplied immediately or within a few working days.

Beyond simply buying them, however, albino rats and mice can also be bred relatively quickly when properly managed. Their short reproductive cycles mean that somebody starting a small breeding colony with around ₦100,000 may potentially build a sizeable colony over time. Nevertheless, feeding, genetics, heat, parasites, soldier ants, snakes, sanitation and poor breeding-stock selection can quickly reduce productivity. In this guide, we explain the current price of albino rats and mice in Nigeria, where to buy them, what they eat, how they reproduce, how to start a breeding colony and whether breeding laboratory rodents can be profitable.

Cost of Rodents in Nigeria?

Live albino rats currently start from ₦1,500 each, while albino mice start from ₦1,000 each. However, the final price depends on the size, sex, quantity and current availability of the rodents.

These starting prices are quite competitive when compared with the wider Nigerian market. Current Nigerian marketplace listings show albino rats advertised at around ₦1,500, ₦2,000, ₦2,500, ₦3,500 and even ₦4,000 each. Meanwhile, current albino mouse listings range from around ₦1,000 to ₦4,000 depending on the seller, location and type of mouse.

Therefore, there is no single national price for an albino rat or mouse. More importantly, if you are buying them for research, price should not be your only consideration as a ₦1,000 rat that does not meet the age, sex, weight or strain requirements of your experiment can become a very expensive mistake once your study has already started.

Where Can I Buy Live Albino Rats and Mice in Nigeria?

You can order live albino rats and mice directly from MyGoToVet. We work with veterinary and professional breeders who raise rodents for laboratory experiments, research, breeding and other legitimate purposes.

There is no minimum order.

So, if you need only one or two mice, you can place an order. Likewise, if your department needs 20, 50, 100 or more laboratory rodents, you can preorder the required batch.

You can also specify whether you need males or females and the size you require.

This is particularly important for research. Imagine that your experimental design requires 20 male rats of approximately the same age and weight. Receiving 20 random rats of different sizes and sexes simply because they are all white will not solve your problem.

That is why we recommend telling MyGoToVet exactly what your project requires when placing your order. Call/WhatsApp us to Book: Click Here 

Can Albino Rats and Mice Be Delivered Anywhere in Nigeria?

Yes. MyGoToVet can arrange delivery of live albino rats and mice nationwide, including Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Benin City, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Owerri, Umuahia, Uyo, Calabar, Ilorin and other locations across Nigeria.

Small orders may be available the same day or within 3–5 working days, depending on availability and destination.

For large orders, the rodents are usually placed on preorder so the requested batch can be prepared. Depending on the quantity, a large order can generally be ready within approximately one week.

The rodents are transported in appropriately prepared and ventilated cartons, somewhat similar to the system commonly used for transporting day-old chicks.

Of course, rodents are living animals, not parcels.

Therefore, ventilation, temperature, stocking density and journey duration matter. This becomes even more important during hot Nigerian afternoons because overcrowding plus poor ventilation can quickly result in heat stress.

Albino Rat vs Wistar Rat

This is one distinction every Nigerian student and researcher should understand. An albino rat is not automatically a Wistar rat.

Albino simply describes the lack of pigmentation responsible for the animal's white coat and characteristic pinkish-red eyes.

Wistar, on the other hand, refers to a particular laboratory rat stock.

This matters because many Nigerian advertisements use “albino rat”, “Wistar rat” and “laboratory rat” almost interchangeably. Current marketplace listings, for example, advertise animals under descriptions such as “Albino Wister Lab Rat” and “Wistar (Albino) Rats.”

However, if your approved research protocol specifically says Wistar rats, Sprague-Dawley rats or another defined stock, do not simply buy any white rat and assume it qualifies.

Ask.

Interestingly, this distinction is very relevant to real Nigerian research. In a University of Ibadan-associated study, researchers reported obtaining male and female Wistar albino rats that had been bred for several generations from the animal house of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

That is a very different level of information from simply saying, “I bought white rats.”

Can I Buy Albino Rats and Mice for Research in Nigeria

Yes, they both can be used for research. If you studied veterinary medicine, medicine, pharmacy, biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, microbiology or another biological science in Nigeria, chances are you have already encountered laboratory rodents somewhere.

Rats and mice are used as animal models across many areas of research.

For example, a 2025 study involving Nigerian researchers from institutions including Enugu State University of Science and Technology and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka used Wistar albino rats to investigate experimental diabetes and associated pathology.

Another Nigerian study published in 2025 investigated hormonal changes associated with dysmenorrhoea using albino rats, with researchers affiliated with the University of Ibadan and Bowen University.

Mice are equally important.

Researchers at Madonna University used 84 albino mice, aged approximately 2–3 months, for an experimental study involving malaria infection. Interestingly, those mice were obtained from the animal house at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

So, the demand for laboratory rats and mice in Nigeria is not theoretical. These animals are actively used in Nigerian research.

Of course, anyone using live animals for scientific research should also obtain the appropriate ethical and institutional approvals before beginning the experiment.

Feeding Albino Rats and Mice

Now we get to one of the most practical questions. What exactly are you going to feed all these rats?

In commercial Nigerian breeding systems, one affordable option is good-quality poultry feed. Some of the professional breeders MyGoToVet works with use poultry feed and move the animals through starter, grower and finisher formulations as appropriate.

And this is not completely removed from what happens in Nigerian research facilities.

Remember those 84 albino mice used in the Madonna University study? The researchers reported housing them in aluminium cages and feeding them commercial pelleted starter feed while providing clean drinking water freely.

That is a useful real-world Nigerian example because both commercial poultry feed and locally fabricated aluminium cages are much easier to source than expensive imported laboratory-animal systems.

However, there is an important warning here.

If you are raising rodents specifically for a controlled experiment, the diet itself can affect your results.

Therefore, researchers should follow the diet specified in their experimental protocol. Where precise nutritional control is important, a standardized laboratory rodent diet may be more appropriate than simply using whichever poultry feed is cheapest that week.

For commercial breeding, meanwhile, the goal is to provide a consistent, balanced ration that supports growth, pregnancy, lactation and reproduction.

And please, do not forget water.

Fresh, clean water should always be available.

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Breeding Rats and Mice in Nigeria

How Fast Do Albino Rats Reproduce?

Very fast. This is usually the part that gets prospective breeders interested.

A female rat has a gestation period of only around 21–23 days. Litter size varies, but healthy laboratory rats can produce several pups in one litter, and good females can produce multiple litters.

Now imagine having 20 productive females.

Even if you work with a conservative example of eight surviving saleable pups per female, one successful breeding round could potentially give you:

20 females × 8 pups = 160 young rats

At ₦1,500 each, 160 rats represent:

₦240,000 in potential gross sales.

Notice that I said gross sales, not profit.

That ₦240,000 has not paid for feed, cages, transport, water, mortality, cleaning, labour or replacement breeding stock. Furthermore, not every female will become pregnant at the same time, not every litter will contain eight pups, not every pup will survive, and you may not sell every animal immediately.

Still, you can see why rodent breeding becomes interesting very quickly.

How Fast Do Mice Reproduce? 

Mice are tiny, but never underestimate their reproductive capacity. Pregnancy in mice lasts only around 19–21 days, and females can produce several pups per litter.

That means a properly managed mouse colony can expand surprisingly quickly.

However, “they multiply fast” can become either your greatest advantage or your biggest headache.

If you have customers waiting, rapid reproduction means stock.

If you don't have customers, rapid reproduction means more mouths eating your feed every single day.

That is why I would never advise a beginner to start by producing hundreds of rats or mice simply because the biological calculations look attractive.

Build your market alongside your colony.

Can You Make Money Breeding Albino Rats and Mice in Nigeria?

Yes, there is money to be made, but I would treat this as a specialised livestock business, not a get-rich-quick scheme.

A rough ₦100,000 starter budget could potentially get a small operation going, particularly if you already have a suitable space.

Instead of buying expensive imported laboratory cages, you can speak with a competent local welder about fabricating aluminium cages.

Then, depending on current prices and your setup, you might build your foundation colony around something like 5 males and 20 females.

That sounds small until the females begin producing.

If 20 females each successfully raise eight saleable young in a cycle, you are looking at our earlier example of approximately 160 animals.

But here is where people make mistakes: they calculate the ₦240,000 possible sales and immediately call it ₦240,000 profit.

It isn't.

Your actual profit is:

Sales revenue – feed – housing – mortality – transportation – cleaning – veterinary expenses – replacement breeders – other operating costs.

The business therefore becomes more attractive when you can maintain low mortality, good reproductive performance and, most importantly, repeat buyers.

A university department, laboratory or researcher who regularly needs rodents may be more commercially valuable than producing hundreds of animals and then looking for someone to buy them.

Breeding Tip

Here is a real breeding lesson that is easy to overlook.

One of the practical problems encountered in establishing a rodent colony is buying old males or females as breeding stock.

The animals may look perfectly healthy. They eat. They move around. Nothing appears obviously wrong.

But then the females are not producing as expected.

Suddenly, the problem isn't your cage or your feed. Your breeding male simply isn't performing.

Now imagine that happening after you have built your profit calculation around five males servicing 20 females.

That is why breeding stock should be selected carefully.

When buying rats or mice for breeding, consider the age, sex, body condition, health and reproductive history, where known.

The cheapest breeder is not necessarily the cheapest animal to own.

Housing Rats and Mice

One practical option in Nigeria is to use locally fabricated aluminium cages.

In fact, aluminium cages are not limited to commercial breeders. The Nigerian study involving the 84 albino mice mentioned earlier specifically reported housing the mice in aluminium cages.

A good local welder can fabricate a functional setup, although cage design is more important than simply saying, “Make me a rat cage.”

The cage should be easy to clean, adequately ventilated and secure enough to prevent escape. It should also allow easy access to feed and water without giving rats endless opportunities to spill everything you just bought.

Most importantly, check the finishing carefully.

Sharp metal edges and poorly finished wire can cause injuries.

Also think about where the cages will sit. A beautiful aluminium cage inside a boiling-hot shed is still a bad rodent house.

5 Major Challenges Breeding Rats and Mice in Nigeria

This is where Nigerian reality enters the conversation. The rats may reproduce beautifully on paper. Your Excel sheet may be showing serious profit then several factors can cause severe mortality to your stock such as:

1. Soldier ants 

Newborn rodents are extremely vulnerable. If soldier ants gain access to your cages, they can attack pups and cause serious infant mortality. This means your rodent house needs more than cages.

You need environmental control. Keep the surroundings clean, clear spilled feed, inspect possible ant routes and keep vegetation and rubbish around the building under control.

Be particularly careful with insecticides. Spraying powerful chemicals indiscriminately around laboratory rodents can create another problem entirely, especially if those animals will later enter experiments.

2. Heat 

Anyone who has entered a poorly ventilated animal house during a Nigerian dry-season afternoon knows how quickly heat can build up.

Now imagine dozens of rodents inside it.

Heat affects welfare, feed intake, reproduction and survival. Therefore, your facility needs good ventilation, shade, clean water and sensible stocking densities.

3. Lice and other external parasites 

If one infested animal enters a colony, parasites can spread. Watch for excessive scratching, irritated skin, rough coats, hair loss or animals that simply stop looking as healthy as the rest of the colony. Rather than pouring random poultry insecticide over your rats, speak to a veterinarian about an appropriate control programme.

4. Snakes

If you keep a large colony of rodents, you have effectively created a very attractive food source for predators. Snakes can become a genuine problem, particularly where the rodent house has holes, poorly fitted doors, open drains, overgrown surroundings or other access points.

Rodent-proofing your facility must therefore work in both directions: Keep your rats in, and keep predators out.

5. Lack of Breeding Records

This may sound unnecessary when you have only five males and 20 females.

Do it anyway.

Record which male was paired with which females, mating dates where possible, litter dates, number born, number weaned, mortality and any recurring health problems.

After several months, those records become incredibly valuable.

You may discover that one female consistently raises large healthy litters while another repeatedly loses pups. Likewise, one male may achieve excellent conception rates while another occupies cage space and eats feed without contributing much genetically.

Without records, you are guessing. With records, you are actually managing a breeding colony.

Should You Breed Rats or Mice?

There isn't one correct answer.

If your target customers mainly request rats for university projects, producing rats may make more commercial sense.

Meanwhile, mice require less physical space and reproduce rapidly, and they are extensively used in biomedical research.

You can also maintain both colonies once you understand your market.

However, I would start with demand, not excitement.

Before investing heavily, find out what researchers and laboratories around you actually request.

Do they regularly ask for male albino rats?

Do they want specific weights?

Do they need mice?

Do they require a particular strain?

Do they buy 5 animals at a time or 50?

Those answers should determine what you breed.

Ready to Buy Live Albino Rats or Mice in Nigeria?

Whether your supervisor just told you to find 20 male rats before your experiment can start, you need a few mice for an approved research project, or you want breeding stock to establish your own colony, MyGoToVet can help you source the animals you need.

We work with veterinary and professional rodent breeders and can arrange orders for individuals, students, researchers, laboratories and institutions across Nigeria.

Albino rats start from ₦1,500 each.

Albino mice start from ₦1,000 each.

There is no minimum order, and you can specify the sex and size you require. Small available orders may be fulfilled the same day or within 3–5 working days, while larger batches can be preordered and generally prepared within approximately one week.

Contact MyGoToVet today to order live albino rats and mice for delivery anywhere in Nigeria. Book a 10-minute virtual vet consultation today and get fast, reliable expert advice from the comfort of your home, or request farm veterinary services through our network of veterinary professionals and partner clinics.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Albino Rats and Mice in Nigeria

1. How much is an albino rat in Nigeria?

At MyGoToVet, albino rats currently start from ₦1,500 each. Final prices depend on the animal's size, sex, quantity ordered and availability.

2. How much is an albino mouse in Nigeria?

Albino mice currently start from ₦1,000 each through MyGoToVet. Again, the final price depends on size, sex, quantity and availability.

3. Where can I buy albino rats in Nigeria?

You can order live albino rats directly from MyGoToVet. We work with veterinary and professional breeders and arrange supply and delivery across Nigeria.

4. Where can I buy laboratory mice in Nigeria?

Laboratory-bred albino mice can also be ordered through MyGoToVet, with nationwide delivery available.

5. Can I buy only one rat or mouse?

Yes. There is no minimum order.

You can order one animal or preorder a large batch depending on your needs.

6. Can I order 50 or 100 albino rats?

Yes. Large orders can be prebooked so the required batch can be prepared. Depending on availability and quantity, larger orders can generally be supplied within approximately one week.

7. Can I choose male or female rats?

Yes. You can specify the sex and size required when placing your order.

This is particularly important for research because experimental protocols may specify the sex, age or weight range of the animals.

8. How long does delivery take?

Smaller orders may be available the same day or within 3–5 working days, depending on stock and destination.

Larger batches are usually preordered and can generally be prepared within approximately one week, depending on the number required.

9. Do you deliver albino rats and mice outside Lagos?

Yes. MyGoToVet can arrange delivery anywhere in Nigeria, subject to available transport logistics.

10. What do albino rats eat?

Professional breeders may use commercially available balanced feeds, including suitable poultry feeds, depending on the production system. Clean water should always be available.

However, animals intended for controlled laboratory experiments should be managed according to the feeding requirements of the research protocol because nutrition can influence experimental results.

11. How long are rats pregnant?

Rat pregnancy lasts approximately 21–23 days, which is one reason a healthy breeding colony can expand quickly.

12. How long are mice pregnant?

Mouse gestation is approximately 19–21 days, so mice can also reproduce extremely rapidly under good management.

13. Is breeding albino rats profitable in Nigeria?

It can be. Albino rats and mice have established demand from universities, researchers, laboratories and other buyers. However, profitability depends on feed costs, mortality, breeding performance, housing expenses and your ability to sell the animals you produce.

A small colony can multiply quickly, but having a market is just as important as having productive breeders.