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House mouse

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House mouse

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Scientific name: Mus musculus
The tiny, grey-brown house mouse is one of our most successful mammals. It thrives around buildings but is less likely to be found in our houses these days due to better construction.

Top facts

Stats

Length: 10cm
Tail: 10cm
Weight: 20g
Average lifespan: 1 year

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

January to December

About

As its name suggests, the house mouse thrives wherever there are people, particularly in farm buildings, warehouses, sheds and garages, although it is no longer a common resident of our homes. It eats grains, seeds, roots, fungi and insects. House mice construct a series of tunnels to live in. Females can have up to 10 litters a year of four to eight young.

What to look for

The house mouse is grey-brown, with large ears, a pointed snout and long, scaly tail. The similar wood mouse is browner and has larger ears and eyes relative to its size.

Where to find

Widespread.

Did you know?

The house mouse is the ancestor of the domestic mouse, which has been bred as a pet and a laboratory subject.