House mouse, Mus musculus

Detailed introduction

The house mouse ( Mus musculus ) is one of the most common rodents in the world and most closely related to humans. They are adept at adapting to various environments, and especially prefer a "companion" lifestyle associated with human settlements, so they are commonly found in cities, countryside, farms, and warehouse areas.

It should be noted that the house mouse is not an endangered animal; the IUCN classifies it as "Least Concern (LC)". However, in many islands or fragile ecosystems, the house mouse may actually become an invasive species, putting pressure on native birds, insects, and plants.

Classification and nomenclature

The house mouse belongs to the genus *Mus * of the family Muridae in the order Rodentia. In Chinese, it is often simply called "house mouse," and in different regions, it also has other colloquial names such as "mouse."

Appearance features

It is small in size, with a pointed muzzle, large and rounded ears, and a long, thin tail with relatively little hair. The coat color is mostly grayish-brown or brownish-gray, with a lighter underside; however, the coat color can vary in captivity or in experimental strains.

Distribution range and habitat

Originally thought to be associated with Eurasia, house mice are now found almost globally due to human migration and trade. They can live both inside and outside buildings, as well as in farmland, grasslands, and scrubland; their numbers tend to be higher the closer they are to human settlements.

Lifestyle Habits and Behaviors

House mice are more active at dusk and night, and are adept at using narrow crevices to build nests and hide. They have a strong ability to explore and learn, will forage and patrol along fixed routes, and can quickly adapt to new food sources and habitats.

feeding habits

It is a typical omnivore, mainly feeding on grains, seeds, and fruits, but also eating insects and meat scraps. When living in human environments, kitchen food, animal feed, and garbage are often important sources of sustenance.

Reproduction and life cycle

They are highly prolific and can reproduce multiple times when food is plentiful and temperatures are suitable. In terms of lifespan, most individuals in the wild do not exceed 12–18 months; under captive or experimental conditions, they usually live for about 2 years, and some can live longer under special conditions.

Relationship with humans

House mice are both common pests and play an important role as model organisms in biomedical research. They can spread pathogens, contaminate food, and damage building materials, so management and control are usually necessary in residential and storage areas.

Protection of the status quo and management

Globally, the house mouse population is large and widely distributed, and it is listed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN. In conservation practice, the focus is often not on "conservation," but on how to effectively, compliantly, and as humanely as possible control it in human-inhabited environments, and to prevent it from causing ecological damage in sensitive ecosystems such as islands.