Mice

Biology

• Life span is 1-2 years.
• Can have as many as 8 litters in one year. Breeding life of females 6-10 litters.
• Litter size is usually 6 young. Young mice can begin breeding at 6-10 weeks of age.
• Eyesight is poor; however, mice have very good senses of smell, hearing and touch.
• Mice are omnivorous, but prefer plant-based foods such as grains, seeds, fruit, vegetation, etc
• Active mostly at night, but can sometimes be seen during the day.
• Mice live in a hierarchical system with dominant males ruling a territory.
• All mature mice tend to show aggression toward strange individuals of either sex.
• House mice are gray to brown on back with underside of a lighter shade.
• Deer mice and white-footed mice have larger eyes and ears than the house mouse.
• Deer mice and white-footed mice are light brown or tan on top, with a distinctly white underside.
• Deer mice have a distinct bi-colored tail that is white on the bottom. White-footed mice do not.

Interesting Facts:

• Mice contaminate food and grain more so than rats. In 6 months, one pair can consume about 4 lbs. of food and deposit about 18,000 droppings.
• Mice are curious and are quick to explore any physical changes in their environment.
• Mice are capable swimmers if they need to be.
• Mice can squeeze through openings slightly larger than ¼ inch in diameter.
• Mice are excellent jumpers for their size, and can jump a foot high from the floor to an elevated flat surface.
• When rats are eliminated, house mice often move in or increase in population.
• House mice reportedly will drive away deer mice and white-footed mice.