Thread: Mouse in Wheel for Mad Lab

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Just bought one of those Wheel Runner hamsters to modify into a mouse and use as part of my Mad Lab set up. Wanted to add some more animation to the scene. It runs pretty well on 2 AAA batteries. They're pretty cheap right now (between $5 something and $10) and lots of places (Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Ace Hardware) seem to have them for the holidays as a kid's gift so you can save on shipping by picking up locally.

I'm "skinning" one of those "realistic rats" that I got from Big Lots and using the skin of it in place of the "hampster" covering that the Wheel Runner guy has now. I'll position the new rat tail to curve up around it's back so that it fits inside the wheel when it runs. Also plan to spray paint the wheel silver using some of that paint made for plastic to give it a more realistic look (the Wheels come in blue or pink--not really "halloween" friendly). The animal just runs and runs around turning the wheel. There is somewhat of a noise generated by it's wheels on the outer wheel surface but it's not that bad and I figure with the ambient noise of lab sounds I'll have in the background it shouldn't be that noticeable.

I may pick up a second one to switch off with when the battery gets too low during the night. BTW if you only want to prepare one "mouse" version instead of two, switching out the battery compartment is pretty easy as the motor/running wheels assembly simply pulls out of the hamster's plastic body (there's some velcro inside to help hold it in place).

The company that makes Wheel Runner also makes a white mouse version which I have never seen in a store (think probably the stores figured a hamster would sell better than a mouse). The mouse has a solid white body but it's not that realistic looking as a mouse so I think modifying the hampster is a better solution for a mouse/rat anyway.

I'll come back and post pics when I get around to doing this project. I wanted to mention it now since these Wheel Runners are all over the place during the holiday and now might be a good time to pick one up.


BTW I also picked up a decent looking Kid's microscope to add to my lab while at Tuesday Morning. It was made by Vivitar (really works too and had a metal base) and was under $10. Xmas time is a good time to look for this kind of stuff and take advantage of sales and stuff. I kept trying to find lab equipment like this at my local resale shops but so far never come across any.

Now that's a cool idea.....waiting for pics.

Great idea! That's gonna be a cool prop when you finish it!