How much grain does a mouse eat per year? - briefly
A typical house mouse ingests roughly 0.5 to 1 kilogram of grain during a year.
How much grain does a mouse eat per year? - in detail
Mice consume a small proportion of their body weight in dry grain each day. Laboratory studies on Mus musculus report an average daily intake of 3–5 grams of standard rodent chow, which contains roughly 60 % dry matter. Translating to pure grain, the consumption ranges from 1.8 g to 3 g per day.
To estimate yearly intake, multiply the daily grain amount by 365 days:
- Minimum estimate: 1.8 g × 365 ≈ 657 g per year.
- Maximum estimate: 3 g × 365 ≈ 1 095 g per year.
Wild mice exhibit lower intake due to sporadic food availability. Field observations suggest daily grain consumption of 1–2 g, yielding an annual range of 365 g to 730 g.
Factors influencing the figures include:
- Species and size – larger rodents, such as the house mouse, ingest more than smaller relatives.
- Seasonal variation – colder months increase metabolic demand, raising daily consumption.
- Diet composition – high‑protein or high‑fat supplements reduce the amount of grain required for caloric needs.
- Reproductive status – lactating females may double their intake to support offspring.
Overall, a typical mouse eats between roughly 0.4 kg and 1.1 kg of grain over a full year, with the exact figure dependent on environmental conditions and physiological state.