How can a female mouse be called? - briefly
A female mouse is commonly referred to as a “doe.” The term is used in zoological contexts to distinguish it from a male, which is called a “buck.”
How can a female mouse be called? - in detail
The term most widely accepted for an adult female mouse is doe. This word is borrowed from the nomenclature of other small mammals such as rabbits, where “doe” designates the female. In scientific literature and laboratory settings the phrase “female mouse” is also used without ambiguity, especially when precise sex identification is required.
When referring to a mother mouse, the word dam is standard. “Dam” appears in genetics and breeding contexts to denote the female parent of offspring. The term is distinct from “doe” in that it emphasizes reproductive status rather than general sex.
A less common, colloquial designation is jill. This archaic term is occasionally encountered in older zoological texts but is rarely used in modern discourse.
Summary of terminology:
- Doe – general term for an adult female mouse.
- Dam – mother of a litter, used in breeding and genetics.
- Jill – obsolete, occasional colloquial usage.
Each term serves a specific context: “doe” for everyday description, “dam” for pedigree and research, and “jill” for historical references. The choice depends on the precision required by the audience and the purpose of the communication.