Taxonomy

Order Rodentia

Family Cricetidae

Basic Description: 

The house mouse is grayish brown to brown with no significant line separating the lighter belly coloration. It has large prominent ears and large black eyes. Its tail is long, scaly and nearly bald. The house mouse has a distinctive smell that some describe as similar to ammonia. Males and females do show any difference in size. 

Body length (no tail): 65-95 mm. 

Tail length: 60-105 mm. 

Mass: 12-30 g.

Habitat

The house mouse’s natural habitat is rocky crevices and soil and leaf litter where they are able to make complex burrows. However, they are usually found in anthropogenic structures in conjunction with humans. They are found near food sources in hidden-away spaces. They make nests from fabric scraps and paper. 

Vermont Range 

House mice are non-native and are present in most of Vermont and North America.

Diet

Type: Omnivore

House mice will choose their diet based on what is available. In the wild, they will eat grasses, seeds, roots, stems and larvae. In houses, they will eat any food items and even household products such as glue and soap.

Reproduction

House mice start breeding in the early spring and continue to breed through the late fall. Females have 1-4 litters per year, each with a gestation period of 19-21 days. They can have around 5-11 young. The house mouse reaches sexual maturity at 5-7 weeks, and has a life expectancy of one year. Males and females release hormones which initiate breeding.

Conservation Status

More Information

Vermont Distribution


Banner Image:

Photo 3019135, (c) Jenn Megyesi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) / Cropped from original