What does a mouse's fur look like? - briefly
A mouse’s coat is composed of fine, short hairs that are soft to the touch and commonly appear in shades of gray, brown, or white, often with mixed coloration. The hairs lie close to the skin, giving the animal a sleek, velvety appearance.
What does a mouse's fur look like? - in detail
A mouse’s coat consists of fine, soft hairs covering the entire body. The outer layer, called guard hairs, is slightly longer and coarser, providing protection against wear and moisture. Beneath this, a dense undercoat of shorter, velvety fibers supplies insulation.
Coloration varies among species and populations:
- Common house mouse (Mus musculus): dorsal fur ranges from light brown to gray, often with a darker stripe along the spine; ventral side is pale‑white to creamy.
- Field mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus): dorsal fur may be reddish‑brown or olive, sometimes speckled with darker spots; belly remains light.
- Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus): dorsal fur exhibits a gray‑brown hue with a subtle, darker central stripe; ventral fur is white.
Texture is uniformly silky, with each hair tapering to a fine tip. The length of guard hairs typically measures 2–4 mm, while the undercoat hairs are 1–2 mm. Seasonal molting results in a slightly thicker coat during winter, providing enhanced thermal regulation.
Microscopic examination reveals a medullary canal in guard hairs, contributing to structural rigidity, whereas undercoat fibers lack this feature, enhancing softness. Pigmentation is produced by melanin granules dispersed within the cortex of each hair, influencing the observed color patterns.