What do mice look like in a house? - briefly
«House mice» are small rodents, usually 2–4 inches long, with gray‑to‑brown fur, pink or dark ears, a pointed snout, whiskers, and a long, hairless tail; their underbelly is typically lighter in color. They exhibit a slender body shape and sharp, clawed feet adapted for climbing and squeezing through tiny openings.
What do mice look like in a house? - in detail
House mice are small rodents typically measuring 6–10 cm in body length, with an additional tail of comparable length. Their weight ranges from 10 to 25 g, reflecting a lean, agile build suited to confined indoor environments.
Key physical characteristics include:
- Fur coloration: dorsal coat varies from light gray to brown, occasionally exhibiting a silvery sheen; ventral side is pale, often white or cream.
- Head: rounded with large, dark eyes adapted for low‑light activity; ears are proportionally large, hairless, and transparent at the edges.
- Whiskers: long, stiff vibrissae extending from the snout, providing tactile feedback in narrow spaces.
- Tail: naked, scaly, and flexible, matching the body length and aiding balance during rapid movements.
- Feet: small, with five toes on each front foot and four on each hind foot; pads are soft, allowing silent locomotion across varied surfaces.
Additional details relevant to indoor settings:
- Body shape remains slender, enabling passage through openings as small as 6 mm in diameter.
- Fur may appear slightly ragged in older individuals due to frequent encounters with rough surfaces and occasional grooming deficits.
- Coloration can darken with age or exposure to dust, giving an overall grayer appearance in long‑term infestations.
- Seasonal coat changes are minimal indoors, as temperature remains relatively constant.
Understanding these traits assists in accurate identification and informs appropriate control measures.