Mouse

MUS MUSCULUS

Identification

The coat of the mouse goes from light brown to light gray. It generally reaches a length of 7 to 10 cm, plus a long tail of 7 to 10 cm. It is an excellent climber and can swim but it is not attracted by water.

Living Areas

Excellent climber. Nests on all floors of houses. Lives indoors and out, often in stored goods. Its gives off a very strong smell, due to its urine. Mostly active at night.

Feeding

Omnivorous: eats all sorts of foodstuffs (animal and cereal). Approximately 3g per day. Does not drink if there is moisture in its food.

Nuisances

Damage to materials and structures through gnawing (wood, electric wires, pipes, insulation, etc.). Eats and pollutes foodstuffs. Diseases transmitted: salmonella through droppings, leptospirosis through urine, foot-and-mouth disease or murine typhus, or the plague through parasites such as fleas.

Life Cycle

From 9 to 12 months, sexual maturity after 6 weeks. From 3 to 10 youngs per litter and up to 6 litters per year.