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Photo by Larry Master
Photo Copyright Larry Master
House Mouse
Mus musculus
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5
State (S-rank): SNA
External links
General information
The house mouse, Mus musculus, is native to the Old World, but has become established in many other areas, including throughout North America. The species is usually associated with man, occurring primarily in cultivated fields and buildings. House mice are very common in many areas, and are often considered a nuisance because they destroy crops, eat and contaminate food, and spread disease.
House mice are very prolific; females may have many litters of three to twelve young each year. They are opportunistic feeders, eating seeds, plant material, invertebrates, and any other food items they can find. House mice are typically gray or brown in color, and have scaly (hairless) tails.
Phenology
Primarily nocturnal, though also diurnal during population peaks.
Species range
Native to Old World. Spread over the world's continents and islands (except Antarctica) in association with humans (Musser and carleton, in Wilson and Reeder 2005).
Habitat
Occupies buildings/other structures, as well as natural habitats such as fields, cropland, and (in Hawaii) low elevation forests, beaches, sometimes high elevation forest and scrub (Tomich 1986, Sugihara 1997). In some areas, movement into buildings coincides with the onset of cold weather in late fall. Young are born in a nest that may be communally constructed in a well-concealed site.
Food habits
Variable diet of plant/animal foods.
Ecology
Lives in colonies. Densities vary greatly. Peak densities reach 750 or more individuals per ha (Lidicker 1966). Peaks in abundance (irruptions) occur late summer-fall in Hawaii (Tomich 1986). Home range is less than an acre. On western Mauna Kea, Hawaii, Amarasekare (1994) found no evidence that this species preys on eggs, young, or adults of endemic birds.
Reproductive characteristics
Breeds throughout the year under mild indoor conditions, breeds seasonally in natural habitats. Gestation lasts 19-21 days (may be longer if female is lactating). Young are weaned in about 18 days. Produces many litters of 3-12 (typically 4-5) young per year. Sexually mature in 5-10 weeks.
References
- Biotics Database. 2005. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, NatureServe, and the network of Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers.
- Burt, W. H. and R. P. Grossenheider. 1980. A field guide to the mammals. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 289 pp.
