little mouse
Facts of Interest:
- mice ar eone of the most widely spread animals on the planet, covering every corner of the globe including parts of Antarctica
- there are 40 species of mice worldwide
- wild mice live in various habitats including grassy fields, woodlands and human homes
- the domestic mouse is a popular pet because of its compact size and tranquil demeanor
- a female mouse can give birth as early as two months of age and can have between six and ten litters per year
- an average litter consists of 5 – 6 pups
- for mice, gestation takes only 5 weeks
- a group of 6 mice can multiply into a group of 60 in just 3 months
- mouse pups are born pink and hairless with eyes and ears closed
- once they grow fur and gain mobility, adolescent mice enter the “hopper” stage, in which they move about in springy jumps
- mice are a staple in the diet of many wild animals including owls, hawks, wolves and foxes
- this keeps their populations under control
- mice can live between 2-3 years in captivity but because of predators, wild mice usually do not live longer than a year
- wild mice usually live in underground nests and burrows
- mice have sensitive sense of smell and taste as well as excellent hearing
- their sight is rather poor and they are colorblind
- mice use their large plumes of whiskers as sensors
- mice are omnivorous