What are domestic mice called? - briefly
Domestic mice are commonly referred to as house mice (Mus musculus), specifically the subspecies Mus musculus domesticus. They are the familiar species kept as laboratory or pet rodents.
What are domestic mice called? - in detail
The domesticated form of the common mouse is most often referred to as the house mouse. In scientific literature it is classified as Mus musculus domesticus, a subspecies of the Eurasian mouse that has adapted to human environments. When kept as a companion animal the same species is called a pet mouse or fancy mouse, terms that emphasize selective breeding for coat color, size, and temperament. In research facilities the animal is known as a laboratory mouse, a strain derived from the house mouse and used for genetic and biomedical studies.
Key distinctions among these designations:
- House mouse – wild‑type populations living in buildings, grain stores, and other structures; typical gray or brown fur, high reproductive rate.
- Pet/fancy mouse – bred for aesthetic traits such as albino, black, or patterned coats; generally calmer and handled more frequently.
- Laboratory mouse – genetically defined strains (e.g., C57BL/6, BALB/c) maintained under controlled conditions for experimental reproducibility.
The term “domestic mouse” therefore encompasses three primary contexts: ecological (house mouse), ornamental (pet/fancy mouse), and scientific (lab mouse). Each context uses a specific label that reflects the animal’s role and the degree of human‑directed selection.