House Mouse

Images ©:

House Mouse - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann | House Mouse - Bob Winters

Mus musculus

Body fur usually brown, but can be yellow to black above and white, grey or pale yellow underneath. Musky body odour. Body up to 9 cm long. The tail is slightly longer than the head and body combined.

Details
Type
Mammal
Group
Animals
Placental
Biology

Mostly nocturnal. Can breed from 8 weeks of age, with litters of 4-8 young. When food is abundant and rains make the soil easy to burrow, mice can reach plague proportions.

Distinctive Markings

Strong body odour, dark fur.

Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Rodentia
Family
Muridae
Genus
Mus
Species
musculus
Worldwide. Throughout Australia, including across western Victoria.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

May have been introduced with the First Fleet. Now distributed throughout Australia.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Herbivore. Eats seeds and grains especially but also shoots, insects and any foods that humans eat.

Habitat

Wide range of areas, including urban spaces.

Native Status
Introduced