How many pups can a mouse give birth to at one time? - briefly
A typical mouse litter consists of five to twelve offspring, with most domestic strains averaging six to eight pups. Wild populations can produce slightly larger litters when environmental conditions are optimal.
How many pups can a mouse give birth to at one time? - in detail
Mice typically produce between five and six young per birthing event, though the count can vary widely among species and individual conditions.
- House mouse (Mus musculus): average litter 6–8, recorded range 3–12.
- Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus): average 4–5, extremes 2–9.
- Field mouse (Apodemus species): average 5–7, occasional litters of up to 14.
Factors that modify litter size include:
- Maternal age: prime‑reproductive females yield larger litters than very young or older individuals.
- Nutrition: high‑quality diet before and during gestation correlates with increased offspring numbers.
- Genetic line: selective breeding can produce strains with consistently larger or smaller litters.
- Environmental stress: overcrowding, temperature extremes, or disease suppress litter size.
Gestation lasts approximately 19–21 days, allowing multiple litters per year. In favorable conditions, a single female may produce three to five litters annually, potentially delivering up to 30–40 pups in a year. Survival to weaning depends on litter size, parental care, and external threats; larger litters often experience higher early‑life mortality.
Overall, a mouse can deliver anywhere from two to fourteen young in one reproductive episode, with the most common outcome centered around six offspring.