How many pups can a mouse give birth to? - briefly
A typical mouse litter consists of 5–12 pups, with recorded extremes ranging from 3 to 14. Litter size depends on species, maternal age, and environmental factors.
How many pups can a mouse give birth to? - in detail
Mice typically produce litters ranging from three to fourteen young, with the most common count falling between five and eight. The exact number depends on species, age, health, and environmental conditions.
Key factors influencing litter size:
- Species: House mouse (Mus musculus) averages five to six pups; other species such as the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) may reach up to twelve.
- Maternal age: Young females (first estrus) often have smaller litters, while prime‑aged females (2–4 months) achieve maximal output.
- Nutrition: Adequate protein and caloric intake correlate with larger litters; deficiency reduces offspring number.
- Housing density: Moderate crowding can stimulate reproductive output, whereas extreme stress lowers it.
Reproductive parameters:
- Gestation lasts 19–21 days.
- Females become fertile shortly after weaning, capable of producing a new litter within 24 hours of giving birth.
- Lifetime reproductive potential can exceed one hundred pups under optimal laboratory conditions.
These data provide a comprehensive overview of the reproductive capacity of common laboratory and wild mouse species.