House Mouse

Photo(s): 
House Mouse
House Mouse

House Mouse

Mus musculus


Mostly nocturnal. Can breed from 8 weeks of age, with litters of 4-8 young. When food is abundant and rains make the soil easy to burrow, mice can reach plague proportions. 


Details Description
Type
Mammal
Group
Placental
Identifying Characteristics

Body fur usually brown, but can be yellow to black above and white, grey or pale yellow underneath. Musky body odour. Body up to 9 cm long. The tail is slightly longer than the head and body combined.

Distinctive Markings

Strong body odour, dark fur.

Diet

Herbivore. Eats seeds and grains especially but also shoots, insects and any foods that humans eat.

Habitat

Wide range of areas, including urban spaces.

Native Status
Introduced
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Rodentia
Family
Muridae
Genus
Mus
Species
musculus
House Mouse
Worldwide. Throughout Australia, including across western Victoria.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.