How many pups does a mouse give birth to at one time in a house? - briefly
A house mouse usually produces five to eight offspring per litter, though numbers can vary from three up to fourteen. Litters occur every four to six weeks under favorable conditions.
How many pups does a mouse give birth to at one time in a house? - in detail
A house mouse typically produces a litter of four to eight young per birth. The most common size falls at five or six pups, but litters as small as two and as large as twelve have been recorded under optimal conditions.
Factors that influence litter size include:
- Female age: prime reproductive age (2–6 months) yields the largest litters.
- Nutritional status: abundant protein and calories increase offspring numbers.
- Environmental stress: overcrowding, high predator presence, or poor ventilation reduce litter size.
- Genetic line: laboratory strains may differ from wild‑derived populations.
Gestation lasts 19–21 days, allowing a female to produce several litters each year when indoor conditions remain warm and food is plentiful. Consequently, a single mouse can generate up to ten or more litters annually, potentially contributing hundreds of offspring to a household infestation if left unchecked.