Animal Profiles
Mammals

Mouse

Muridae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Mice include many small rodents. This account describes the house mouse (Mus musculus), a widespread species that often shares buildings with people.

Mus musculus (mouse)

Representative species: Mus musculus.

4028mdk09 · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
House mice have been carried widely around the world by people. Buildings, food stores, cultivated fields and nearby cover provide shelter and feeding opportunities.
Habitat
Towns and cities, Grassland
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Seeds, other plant material and accessible human food are eaten, with insects or carrion sometimes added.

Classification

Common name
Mouse
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Muridae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Rodentia
Family
Muridae
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It builds nests in sheltered spaces.
  • Its tail is long and sparsely haired.
  • It can store food.

Habitat and range

House mice have been carried widely around the world by people. Buildings, food stores, cultivated fields and nearby cover provide shelter and feeding opportunities.

Appearance and adaptations

A pointed muzzle, rounded ears and a slender tail distinguish the house mouse. Wild coats are generally brownish or grey, while domestic forms vary.

Diet and behaviour

Seeds, other plant material and accessible human food are eaten, with insects or carrion sometimes added. Often active at night, it explores familiar routes between shelter and food. Nests may occupy cavities, stored materials or burrows.

Sources

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