ok, thanks a bunch everyone If he gets one I wanted him to get a rat instead of a mouse, but my mom just thought the rat might have a bad smell compared to the mouse/mice. When ever we go to the petshop the rats always have a strong bad odor, but I think it's probably because there are so many right there all together and they are in small cages. I guess one or two wouldn't smell nearly as bad if they were kept clean. Thanks for everything though. I'll try to convince my mom to let him get a rat instead of a mouse if/when he gets one

Genny