Content:
- What is a Mouse?
- The Different Mice Species
- Mouse Anatomy
- Common Mouse Habitats
- Pestilent Behaviors of Mice
- Conclusion
Rodents are among the most popular animals in human habitats. They are even more common than most so-called domestic pets, which is surprising considering that most people do not find them very attractive.
Rodents refer to a group of usually small mammals usually recognized by their extra large front teeth. They have a large population widely scattered across all the continents, but none is native to the continent of Antarctica.
Rodents are often met with mixed feelings since many of them are more pests than pets. However, some rodents may have proven to be worth having around for different purposes, and one of these rodents is the mouse.
Mice are the most common rodents found around human habitats, and they have been pretty helpful for laboratory experiments, while some also make excellent pets for kids. But it is only ideal to know more about this animal before working with it or adopting it as a house pet.
This article will provide a comprehensive guide about mice, considering their behavior and closely examining the mouse anatomy.
What is a Mouse?
A mouse is a small animal in the order Rodentia, with other popular rodents like rats, squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, and beavers. But it is often distinguished by its tiny size and pointed snouts.
This animal is often mistaken for rats, which is not so much of a long stretch considering their similarities, but it has many distinctive features that set it apart from rats. Rats are typically bigger than mice. Although the difference in size is not much, it is often the most telling difference between the duo.
Mice are a special breed of rodents and are among the most domesticated in the order. But to avoid mistaking them for other similarly sized animals, here are some of their most identifiable physical features.
- Size: Mice are among the smallest rodents, with lengths between 5½ – 11 inches. The average adult house mouse weighs only between 11 – 20g, ranking among the least-weighing rodents.
- Color: Mice are covered with hair coats of different colors, often ranging between white, grey, yellow, brown, black, and spotted, depending on the species.
- Smell: Mice are also easily identifiable by their musky ammonia scent, similar to a strong urine smell.
- Reproduction: Mice, like most other rodents, are rapid reproducers, with females having up to 15 litter a year. They have a short gestation period of about 21 days, and each litter can produce up to 6 babies.
The Different Mice Species
Mice are a widespread animal, but they are divided into several species of slightly different characteristics, most belonging to the genus Mus.
There are about 1,100 mouse species scattered across different continents, but the most popular around human habitats include;
- Deer Mouse: This is one of the commonest mouse specie, also called the field mouse. It is native to North American countries like Mexico, Canada, and parts of the United States. N adult dear mouse is typically between 4 – 9 inches, with the tail making up ⅓ of this length. Its furs ate usually pale grey or deep red, with a whitish underbelly. They are primarily found in dry bushes, but they can often make their way to human habitats in search of food.
- White-footed Mouse: The white-footed mouse is a mouse species commonly found in warm and dry wooded areas. They also exist in high populations across North American countries, especially in the eastern United States. It is similar to the dear mouse but is prevalently brown with white feet and underbelly.
- House Mouse: The house mouse is the most popular specie because it is mainly a household animal. It is more like a pest because it often invades homes to steal food and enjoy shelter while contaminating stores and spreading infectious diseases. It has lengths between 4 – 8 inches, including its bare tail. Its body is coated with furs of dusty grey hair, while the underbelly is primarily bare and cream-colored.
Mouse Anatomy
Mice are often used in laboratories for experiments because they have similar anatomy and genetics to humans. They also have pretty simple physiological features that make them easier to work on.
Here are the common physical parts of the typical laboratory mouse.
- Head: Mice have small heads, characterized by a pointed snout, two round ears, and large prominent eyes.
- Body: Mice have slender bodies between 4 – 6 inches, covered by a pelage of short hair. They also have four tiny legs, each with five clawed toes.
- Tail: Rodents often have visible tails, and the mouse is no exception. Mice have long bare tails, often making up ⅓ of their total length.
Common Mouse Habitats
Mice are intelligent critters that give lots of thought to picking their habitats. While they prefer to live in fields and around homes where they can easily find food, they are also cautious to avoid being hunted by natural predators.
Hence, they build underground burrows in fields and make holes in the walls of the homes they invade. They are also naturally nocturnal, so they often only come out to scavenge after dark.
However, this behavior may be motivated by their ever-present fear of predators in their natural habitats.
Pestilent Behaviors of Mice
Mice are pretty popular household pests and are often very annoying in this state. While some species will come into your house uninvited to steal your food, others would invade your yard and stores to lay waste of your farm produce.
Also, mice are rapid reproducers, which means they can multiply their population in no time to cause further havoc wherever they settle. Moreover, these tiny critters can often destroy your properties while hunting for food; talk less of the infectious diseases they bring to your premises.
Conclusion
Mice are ranked high among the commonest rodents often found in human habitats. They have a relatively short lifespan of 3 – 5 years, which they spend as pets, pests, or lab animals.
Knowing about this animal will help you decide how to relate to it, and this article has highlighted everything you need to know about mouse anatomy and behavior.
