House Mouse "Mus domesticus"
House mice are active all through the year, and commonly inhabit homes or businesses.
- The house mouse grows up to 95mm in length. Its tail is the same length as the body.
- It weighs up to 30 grams.
- Its features include: small feet, head, large eyes & ears.
Common Facts
Lifecycle
- House Mice have 4-16 young per litter, and 7-8 litter a year.
- Gestation period is about 3 weeks.
- House Mice reach sexual maturity in 8-12 weeks from birth.
Habitat
- Ground living and burrowing, often climbing. Cereals form a substantial part of their diet.
- They will eat around 3g of food daily and drink 3ml. They can survive without additional water.
Field Mice "Apodemus sylvaticus"
Field mice are not known to venture into inhabited buildings, however are known to be attracted to places where fruit and vegetables are stored and as such, are a major threat to farming and agriculture.
- Field Mice grow up to 100 mm in length. Its tail is the same length as the body.
- It weighs up to 25 grams.
- Its features include; sandy/orange brown fur on head and back, yellowish fur on flanks and white on the belly.
Common Facts
Lifecycle
- Average lifespan of two to three months.
- Field Mice breed: March/April to October/November.
- Gestation period is about 25 days.
Habitat
- Ground living and burrowing, often climbing, cereals form a substantial part of their diet.
- Eats a high proportion of seed crops of trees. Locally, numbers can reach plague level proportion in the grain belt areas.
- Eats small snails and insects.
