What does a cellar mouse look like? - briefly
A cellar mouse is a small rodent, typically 2–3 inches (5–7 cm) long, with brownish‑gray fur and a long, hairless tail roughly equal to its body length. It features a pointed snout, diminutive ears, and sparse coloration that blends with dim, damp surroundings.
What does a cellar mouse look like? - in detail
A cellar mouse is a small, slender rodent typically measuring 6–9 cm in head‑body length, with a tail almost equal to or slightly longer than the body. The fur is fine and dense, ranging from light gray to brownish‑gray on the dorsal side, while the ventral surface is pale, often white or cream‑colored. The coat may appear slightly glossy when the animal is healthy.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Ears: Large, rounded, and proportionally large compared with the head; edges are naked, allowing clear visibility of the ear pinna.
- Eyes: Small, dark, and positioned on the sides of the head, providing a wide field of vision.
- Whiskers: Long, stiff vibrissae extending forward from the snout, aiding navigation in dim environments.
- Tail: Hairless or sparsely haired, tapered, and covered with fine scales; length typically 8–10 cm.
- Feet: Small, with five toes on each hind foot; soles are hairless, revealing small pads that enhance grip on smooth surfaces.
The body shape is elongated, with a relatively short neck and a narrow torso that facilitates movement through narrow passages and cracks commonly found in underground habitats. The skull is narrow, and the dental formula matches that of other murine species: one pair of incisors per quadrant, no canines, and a single premolar behind each incisor.
These morphological details distinguish the cellar mouse from house mice and other small rodents, allowing identification based on size, coloration, ear size, tail proportion, and fur texture.