Family: Muridae
Identification- House mice have an adult body length (nose to base of tail) of 7.5–10 cm (3.0–3.9 in) and a tail length of 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in). The weight is typically 10–25 g (0.4–0.9 oz). They vary in colour from grey to black. They have short hair and a light belly. The ears and tail have little hair. The hind feet are short compared to Apodemus mice, only 15–19 mm (0.59–0.75 in) long. The normal gait is a run with a stride of about 4.5 cm (1.8 in), though they can jump vertically up to 45 cm (18 in).[3] The voice is a high-pitched squeak.
Habitat- they are found in and around homes and commercial structures as well as in open fields and agricultural lands.
Behavior and ecology- House mice usually run, walk, or stand on all fours, but when eating, fighting, or orienting themselves, they stand only on the hind legs, supported by the tail. Mice are good jumpers, climbers, and swimmers. Mice are mostly active during dusk or night. Mice are territorial, and one dominant male usually lives together with several females and young. Mice are afraid of rats, which often kill and (partially) eat mice. This rat behavior is known as muricide. Mice can hear over a broad spectrum of frequencies. They communicate both in the human audible range with squeaks (for long-distance warnings), and in the ultrasound range (for short-distance communication). House mice also rely on pheromones for social communication. Mice can sense surfaces and air movements with their whiskers which are also used during thigmotaxis.
Food- primarily feed on plant matter but are omnivorous. They will eat their droppings to acquire nutrients produced by bacteria in their intestines.
Facts- The house mouse has been domesticated as the pet orfancy mouse, and as the laboratory mouse which is one of the most important model organisms in biology and medicine.
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