How long do mice live in a house? - briefly
House mice kept indoors usually survive between 12 and 24 months, with most individuals dying closer to the one‑year mark due to limited space, predation, and disease.
How long do mice live in a house? - in detail
Mice that reside inside residential buildings typically reach adulthood within three to four weeks and survive for a limited period. Under normal indoor conditions, the average lifespan ranges from twelve to twenty‑four months. A minority may live up to thirty‑six months when provided with optimal shelter, consistent food sources, and minimal exposure to predators or disease.
Key determinants of longevity include:
- Nutrition: Access to abundant, high‑calorie food accelerates growth but can also shorten life due to metabolic stress.
- Temperature: Ambient indoor temperatures between 20 °C and 25 °C support normal physiological function; extreme heat or cold increases mortality.
- Predation and control measures: Traps, poisons, and domestic pets dramatically reduce survival rates.
- Disease load: Viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections spread quickly in crowded environments, shortening lifespan.
- Genetics: Laboratory strains and pet varieties often live longer (up to three years) because they are bred for health and kept in controlled settings.
Reproductive cycles further affect population turnover. Female mice can produce a new litter every four to six weeks, each containing three to eight offspring. High reproductive output compensates for the short individual lifespan, maintaining stable indoor populations despite frequent attrition.
Comparative data show that wild house mice live approximately ten to fourteen months, whereas captive laboratory mice can reach two to three years. The indoor environment therefore positions the mouse’s lifespan between these extremes, contingent on the factors listed above.