Fauna
Mammal

House Mouse

Mus musculus

Also known as Common House Mouse, Domestic Mouse, Laboratory Mouse

House mice thrive in close proximity to human settlements, building hidden nests behind walls, under floorboards, and inside agricultural stores. They communicate using complex ultrasonic vocalizations and mark territorial boundaries with scent trails. Unusually high reproductive potential allows a single pair to produce dozens of offspring each year, enabling rapid colonization of new environments.

NocturnalSynanthropicMammal
House Mouse reference1 / 5
(c) Carrie Seltzer, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCereal Grains, Grass Seeds, Beetles
Predators
  • Domestic Cat
  • Barn Owl
  • Corn Snake
ThreatsPest control measures, rodenticide poisoning, and heavy predation
HabitatsUrban areas, residential buildings, farmland, grasslands, and suburban habitats
Life span1–3 years in the wild
Classification
  1. OrderRodentia
  2. FamilyMuridae
  3. GenusMus
  4. SpeciesMus musculus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskModerate
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is moderate
Can transmit pathogens through urine and droppings; avoid handling wild mice directly.
Why it is dangerous
Carries bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and Leptospira, which spread via contaminated dust, urine, or saliva.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a dull grey to brown coat, a pointed snout, large rounded ears, and a scaly, nearly hairless tail.
What to do
Never touch wild rodents with bare hands; set snap or live traps rather than attempting physical capture.
Responsible observation
  • Storage: Keep dried grains and pet food in airtight glass or metal containers to block access.
  • Observation: Look along indoor baseboards at night, as they move along walls to remain concealed.
  • Sanitation: Wear protective gloves and a mask when cleaning areas contaminated by mouse droppings.
Related species
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