What does a mouselet look like? - briefly
A mouselet is a miniature computer mouse, ergonomically contoured, often finished in smooth plastic or matte coating, and equipped with one or two buttons plus a scroll wheel.
What does a mouselet look like? - in detail
A mouselet is a miniature rodent model designed for laboratory use, typically measuring 3–5 cm in body length excluding the tail. The body is compact, with a rounded thorax and a short, tapered abdomen. Fur covers the dorsal surface, ranging from soft gray to light brown, while the ventral side is pale, often white or cream. The skin under the fur is thin, allowing subtle color variations to be visible.
Key visual features include:
- Head: Small, triangular shape; ears are proportionally large, rounded, and covered with fine hair that may appear slightly translucent.
- Eyes: Dark, glossy, positioned laterally; pupil size is constant, giving a uniform black appearance.
- Nose: Pointed, pink or black depending on strain; whiskers (vibrissae) are long, stiff, and arranged in a symmetric pattern around the snout.
- Limbs: Four short legs with digitigrade posture; each paw bears five tiny, clawed toes, the claws being barely visible under the fur.
- Tail: Thin, hairless, extending 2–3 cm beyond the body; surface is smooth, often slightly darker than the ventral fur.
The overall silhouette resembles a scaled‑down version of a standard laboratory mouse, with proportionally larger ears and a more pronounced tail length relative to its body size. The coloration and texture are consistent across commonly used strains, allowing easy identification in a research setting.