How do tailless mice look? - briefly
Tailless mice possess the typical mouse body—compact, fur‑covered, with a pointed snout and small ears—but lack the elongated tail; the posterior is rounded and may show a short, stubby remnant or a smooth, hair‑filled surface. Their overall size and coloration match those of standard laboratory mice.
How do tailless mice look? - in detail
Tailless mice display a compact body plan that differs from typical rodents primarily in the posterior region. The head, forelimbs, and torso retain the usual mouse morphology, with a rounded skull, prominent whiskers, and dense, soft fur covering both dorsal and ventral surfaces. The dorsal coat is usually uniform in color—often black, brown, or agouti—while the ventral side may be lighter, ranging from pinkish‑white to pale gray.
Key physical traits of tail‑deficient specimens include:
- Rump contour: The posterior ends in a blunt, rounded silhouette rather than a tapered extension. Musculature in the lumbar area is slightly more pronounced to compensate for the missing tail.
- Vestigial tail stub: A short, cartilaginous projection, typically 1–3 mm in length, may be present. It consists of a few fused vertebrae without external hair, appearing as a smooth, skin‑covered nub.
- Pelvic girdle: The sacral vertebrae are fused and positioned closer to the hind‑limb attachment, providing additional stability for locomotion.
- Hind‑limb orientation: The hind limbs are set slightly more posteriorly, allowing the animal to maintain balance despite the absent tail.
- Skin texture: The skin over the rump is smoother and less fur‑dense than surrounding areas, reflecting the reduced musculature and lack of tail follicles.
Overall, the visual impression is that of a standard mouse with a shortened, almost imperceptible tail region, resulting in a smoother, more rounded rear profile.