What does a common mouse look like? - briefly
A typical house mouse is a small rodent about 2–4 inches long, with a slender body covered in soft brown or gray fur, a pointed snout, prominent rounded ears, and a long, hairless tail roughly equal to its body length. Its eyes are black and relatively large, and its feet are pinkish with sharp claws for climbing.
What does a common mouse look like? - in detail
A typical mouse measures 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) in body length, with a tail roughly equal to or slightly longer than the torso. The body is covered in fine, dense fur that ranges from light brown or gray to darker shades; the ventral side is usually paler, often white or cream. Large, rounded ears sit on the sides of the head, each about one‑third of the head’s length, and are covered with a thin layer of hair. Eyes are small, dark, and positioned on the sides, providing a wide field of vision. Prominent whiskers (vibrissae) extend forward from the snout, each about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, serving as tactile sensors.
Key external features include:
- Head: pointed snout, strong incisors visible when the mouth is open.
- Limbs: four short legs with five clawed digits on each foot; forelimbs are capable of fine manipulation.
- Tail: hairless, scaly, flexible, used for balance and thermoregulation.
- Color patterns: dorsal fur may display a dorsal stripe or mottling in some subspecies; the abdomen remains uniformly light.
Domestic varieties often exhibit a broader color palette—white, black, agouti, or spotted—while wild mice typically retain a more uniform brown or gray camouflage. Seasonal molts can cause slight changes in fur thickness and hue, with denser, darker coats in winter. Overall morphology reflects adaptation for nocturnal foraging, burrowing, and rapid escape.