Amouse (pl.:mice) is a smallrodent. Characteristically, mice are known to have a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best known mouse species is the commonhouse mouse (Mus musculus). Mice are also popular aspets. In some places, certain kinds offield mice are locally common. They are known to invade homes for food and shelter.
Mice are typically distinguished fromrats by their size. Generally, when amuroid rodent is discovered, itscommon name includes the termmouse if it is smaller, orrat if it is larger. The common termsrat andmouse are nottaxonomically specific. Typical mice are classified in the genusMus, but the termmouse is not confined to members ofMus and can also apply to species from other genera such as the deer mouse (Peromyscus).
Domestic mice sold as pets often differ substantially in size from the common house mouse. This is attributable to breeding and different conditions in the wild. The best-known strain of mouse is the whitelab mouse. It has more uniform traits, which makes these mice more useful in research.
Cats, wilddogs,foxes,birds of prey,snakes and certain kinds ofarthropods have been known to prey upon mice. Despite this, mice populations remain plentiful. Due to its remarkable adaptability to almost anyenvironment, the mouse is one of the most successfulmammalian genera living on Earth today.
In certain contexts, mice can be consideredvermin. Vermin are a major source ofcrops damage,[1] as they are known to cause structural damage and spreaddisease. Mice spread disease through theirfeces and are often carriers ofparasites.[2] In North America, breathing dust that has come in contact with mouse excrement has been linked tohantavirus, which may lead tohantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).
Primarilynocturnal[3] animals, mice compensate for their poor eyesight with a keen sense of hearing. They depend on their sense of smell to locate food and avoid predators.[4]
In the wild, mice are known to build intricate burrows. These burrows have long entrances and are equipped with escape tunnels. In at least one species, the architectural design of a burrow is a genetic trait.[5]
The most common mice aremurines, in the same clade ascommon rats. They are murids, along with gerbils and other close relatives.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology have confirmed that mice have a range of facial expressions. They used machine vision to spot familiar human emotions like pleasure, disgust, nausea, pain, and fear.[6][7][8]
In nature, mice are largelyherbivores, consuming any kind of fruit or grain from plants.[9] However, mice adapt well to urban areas and are known for eating almost all types of food scraps. In captivity, mice are commonly fed commercial pelleted mouse diet. These diets are nutritionally complete, but they still need a large variety of vegetables.
Despite popular belief, most mice do not have a special appetite for cheese. They will only eat cheese for lack of better options.[10][11]
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Mice are commonexperimental animals in laboratory research ofbiology andpsychology fields primarily because they aremammals, and also because they share a high degree ofhomology with humans. They are the most commonly used mammalianmodel organism, more common thanrats. The mousegenome has been sequenced, and virtually all mousegenes have humanhomologs. The mouse has approximately 2.7 billion base pairs and 20 pairs of chromosomes.[12]They can also be manipulated in ways that are illegal with humans, althoughanimal rights activists often object. Aknockout mouse is agenetically modified mouse that has had one or more of its genes made inoperable through agene knockout. Experimental mouse model systems includemouse models of colorectal and intestinal cancer,mouse models of Down syndrome andmouse models of breast cancer metastasis.[citation needed]
Reasons for common selection of mice are that they are small and inexpensive, have a widely varied diet, are easily maintained, and can reproduce quickly. Severalgenerations of mice can be observed in a relatively short time. Mice are generally very docile if raised from birth and given sufficient human contact. However, certain strains have been known to be quite temperamental.[citation needed]
Many people buy mice as companion pets. They can be playful, loving and can grow used to being handled. Like pet rats, pet mice should not be left unsupervised outside as they have many natural predators, including (but not limited to) birds, snakes, lizards, cats, and dogs. Male mice tend to have a stronger odor than the females. However, mice are careful groomers and as pets they never need bathing. Well looked-after mice can make ideal pets. Some common mouse care products are:
Mice are a staple in the diet of many smallcarnivores. In various countries mice are used as feed[14] for pets such assnakes,lizards,frogs,tarantulas, andbirds of prey, and many pet stores carry mice for this purpose. Such mice are sold in various sizes and with various amounts of fur. Mice without fur are easier for the animal to consume; however, mice with fur may be more convincing as animal feed.[citation needed]
Humans have eaten mice sinceprehistoric times. InVictorian Britain, fried mice were still given to children as a folk remedy forbed-wetting;[15] whileJared Diamond reports creamed mice being used in England as a dietary supplement duringSecond World War rationing.[16] Mice are a delicacy throughout easternZambia and northernMalawi,[17] where they are a seasonal source ofprotein. Field rat is a popular food inVietnam and neighboring countries.[18] In many countries, however, mouse is no longer a food item.
Prescribed cures inAncient Egypt included mice asmedicine.[19] In Ancient Egypt, when infants were ill, mice were eaten as treatment by their mothers.[20][21] It was believed that mouse eating by the mother would help heal the baby who was ill.[22][23][24][25][26]
