How much does a house mouse weigh? - briefly
A typical adult house mouse weighs about 12–30 g (0.4–1.1 oz). Weight varies with age, sex and nutritional status.
How much does a house mouse weigh? - in detail
A common house mouse (Mus musculus) typically weighs between 12 g and 25 g (0.4–0.9 oz). Adult males average 18–22 g, while females are slightly lighter, around 15–20 g. Newborn pups are under 1 g, reaching adult mass after 6–8 weeks.
Factors that cause variation include:
- Age: juveniles weigh far less than mature individuals.
- Sex: males generally exceed females by a few grams.
- Nutrition: high‑calorie diets increase body mass; scarcity leads to lower weights.
- Seasonal changes: colder months may trigger a modest rise in fat reserves.
- Health status: parasites or disease can reduce weight.
Weight measurement methods are:
- Live weighing with analytical balances (precision 0.01 g).
- Post‑mortem weighing after euthanasia, useful for laboratory studies.
- Estimation from body length and condition scores when scales are unavailable.
Data from field surveys show wild individuals average 13–18 g, whereas laboratory strains bred for research often exceed 20 g due to controlled feeding and selective breeding. Specific strains, such as C57BL/6, commonly reach 22–25 g, while leaner strains like DBA/2 hover near 18 g.
Understanding the mass of this rodent matters for experimental design, dosage calculations, and pest‑management strategies. Accurate weight records ensure reliable results in biomedical research and inform humane trap setting for population control.