How many pups does a female mouse give birth to? - briefly
A female mouse typically delivers five to eight offspring per litter, with possible ranges from three to fourteen pups. Litter size depends on strain, age, and environmental conditions.
How many pups does a female mouse give birth to? - in detail
Female house mice usually produce litters ranging from three to twelve offspring, with an average of six to eight. The exact number depends on several variables:
- Strain and genetics – Laboratory strains such as C57BL/6 tend toward the lower end of the range, while outbred stocks often reach the upper limit.
- Age of the dam – First‑time breeders often have smaller litters; peak reproductive output occurs between 8 and 12 weeks of age, after which litter size may decline.
- Nutritional status – Adequate protein and calorie intake supports larger broods; deficiencies can reduce pup numbers.
- Environmental conditions – Stable temperature (20‑26 °C) and low stress levels favor optimal reproductive performance.
- Seasonality in wild populations – Seasonal food availability and daylight length can shift average litter sizes, with spring and early summer peaks.
Gestation lasts approximately 19–21 days. A healthy adult female can conceive again within 24 hours after giving birth, allowing multiple litters per year. In optimal laboratory settings, a single female may produce up to ten litters annually, resulting in a potential total of 60–80 offspring over her reproductive lifespan. Wild females typically have fewer litters due to predation pressure and resource constraints, often yielding 4–6 pups per litter and 2–3 litters per year.