How many mice are born to a house mouse? - briefly
A female house mouse usually gives birth to 5–10 pups per litter and can produce 5–6 litters annually, resulting in roughly 30–70 offspring each year. This total varies with environmental conditions and nutrition.
How many mice are born to a house mouse? - in detail
A female house mouse typically produces between five and eight pups per litter. Under optimal conditions—adequate food, shelter, and mild climate—she can raise up to ten litters annually, resulting in a potential output of 50–80 offspring in a single year.
Key reproductive parameters:
- Gestation period: 19–21 days.
- Weaning age: 21–28 days; pups become independent shortly thereafter.
- Sexual maturity: Females can conceive as early as 5–6 weeks old, males at 6–8 weeks.
Factors that modify these numbers include:
- Nutrition: High-quality diet increases litter size and frequency.
- Temperature: Moderate indoor temperatures (20–25 °C) promote maximal breeding cycles; extreme cold or heat suppresses fertility.
- Population density: Overcrowding can trigger stress‑induced reproductive suppression, reducing both litter size and number of litters.
- Health status: Parasite load or disease lowers reproductive efficiency.
Overall, a single Mus musculus, given favorable environmental conditions, can generate dozens of descendants within a year, rapidly expanding its population.