How many ears do three mice have? - briefly
Each mouse has two ears, so three mice possess a total of six ears.
How many ears do three mice have? - in detail
Each mouse possesses a pair of auditory organs; therefore three individuals provide a total of six ears. The calculation follows simple multiplication: 2 ears × 3 mice = 6 ears.
Mammalian anatomy standardizes ear count. Rodents, including the common house mouse, develop two external auricles (pinnae) connected to middle‑ and inner‑ear structures. Genetic programming ensures bilateral symmetry, resulting in a consistent pair per individual.
Factors that may alter the expected total:
- Congenital malformations: absence or duplication of an ear on one side.
- Traumatic injury: loss of an ear due to predation or experimental handling.
- Surgical alteration: removal for scientific study.
When none of these conditions apply, the normative expectation remains six ears for three mice.
In summary, under typical physiological conditions, three mice collectively exhibit six ears. «What is the total number of ears possessed by three mice?» yields the answer six.