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Animal profile

House Mouse

Mus musculus

MammaliaBuildings, granaries, fields and almost any human-modified habitatLeast Concern

Field profile

The house mouse is a small nocturnal rodent that has spread with human agriculture and shipping for thousands of years. It breeds quickly, tolerates a wide range of diets and is among the most widely used mammalian model organisms in biomedical research. Wild populations show strong local genetic structure.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2024-05-28

House Mouse

Male house mice sing in ultrasound

Courting males produce structured sequences of ultrasonic calls above 30 kilohertz, well beyond human hearing. The syllables repeat in patterns and vary between individuals, which is why the vocalisations are described as song rather than as simple squeaks.

Read with evidence →

House Mouse | Daily Animal Facts