House Mouse

Photo(s): 
House Mouse
House Mouse
© House Mouse - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann

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