What does a house mouse look like? - briefly
A typical house mouse is a small rodent, about 2–4 inches long, with a slender body covered in gray‑brown fur, a pointed snout, large rounded ears, and a long, hairless tail roughly equal to its body length. Its eyes are prominent and dark, and its whiskers are long and sensitive.
What does a house mouse look like? - in detail
The common house mouse is a small rodent measuring 6–10 cm from nose to base of the tail, with a tail length of 5–10 cm that is roughly equal to or slightly longer than the body. Its body is covered in soft, dense fur that is typically light brown or gray on the dorsal side, transitioning to a paler, almost white ventral surface. The fur may display subtle striping or a faint dorsal line in some individuals.
Key external features include:
- Head: Rounded, with a pointed snout; ears are large relative to head size, thin, and hairless, positioned near the top of the skull.
- Eyes: Small, dark, and set slightly forward, providing a wide field of vision.
- Whiskers: Long, stiff vibrissae extending from the snout, aiding tactile navigation.
- Feet: Four toes on each forefoot and five on each hind foot; soles are hairless, enabling quiet movement across surfaces.
- Tail: Scaly, hairless, and flexible; the underside may have a faint line of small scales.
The skeletal structure is lightweight, supporting rapid, agile locomotion. Muscular development is concentrated in the hind limbs, allowing powerful jumps of up to 30 cm vertically. The overall silhouette is sleek, with a streamlined profile that reduces drag when moving through narrow crevices.