Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758

House mouse

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

Media Center Navigation

Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758

Images

Choose images

Mus-musculus
Mus-musculus
Mus-musculus
Mus-musculus
Mus-musculus
Mus-musculus
Mus-musculus
Mus-musculus
Mus-musculus

Page navigation

Page 1 Next
Classification : Text | Graphic |
  

Table of Contents

Overview

Biology

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
ARKive external link
Copyright
Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008. Some rights reserved external link
Location
Source URL
View original data object external link
Citation

House mice are typically active at night, but will emerge during the day if food is scarce (3). They are extremely agile, with an excellent sense of balance, and are able to jump and swim fairly well (3). The senses of hearing and smell are highly developed and communication is largely through scent (5). They have an extremely broad diet, incorporating most human foodstuffs, invertebrates and occasionally more bizarre household items such as soap and tobacco (2).

In urban situations, territories are usually set up, which males defend aggressively (3). Breeding tends to occur throughout the year, with five to ten litters produced each year, each one consisting of between four and eight young (3). The nest is constructed of shredded matter such as paper or cloth (2) and females may share a nest if the population density is high (3) . The young are born virtually hairless, with sealed eyes and ears. They are fully furred after 14 days and weaned after 18 - 20 days, when they begin to emerge from the nest (3).

House mice are well-known pests, contaminating foodstuffs and grains and carrying a number of diseases and parasites that are transmissible to humans (3). Its close association with humans has led to it featuring widely in folklore (6).

"Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/328450". Accessed 18 Mar 2010.