House Mouse

Microtus agrestis

Appearance

•  7 - 9.5cm in length, with a tail around the same length.
•  12 - 30g in weight
•  Their relatively small feet & head and large eyes & ears distinguish them from a young brown rat (Rattus norvegicus).

Lifecycle

•  4 - 16 young per litter; 7 - 8 litters a year.
•  Gestation period of about 3 weeks.
•  8 - 12 weeks from birth to sexual maturity.

Habits

•  Usually ground living and burrowing, but often climbs.
•  Preferred food is cereals.
•  Will eat around 3g of food a day and can survive without any additional water. They will drink up to 3ml a day if their diet is particularly dry.