What does a typical mouse look like? - briefly
A common house mouse is 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, with a slender, pointed snout, large rounded ears, and a hairless, scaly tail about as long as its body. Its fur is typically gray‑brown on the back, lighter on the belly, and it has black eyes, a pink or dark nose, and a long, thin tail.
What does a typical mouse look like? - in detail
A common house mouse measures 7–10 cm from nose to the base of the tail, with a tail length of 6–9 cm. The body is compact, rounded, and supported by a short, sturdy spine. Fur is fine, dense, and typically gray‑brown on the dorsal side, fading to a lighter, almost white hue on the ventral surface. The coloration may include a faint stripe running along the spine, but this varies among individuals.
Key external features include:
- Ears: Large, rounded, and hairless, occupying roughly one‑third of head length; they are highly mobile and capable of rotating independently.
- Whiskers (vibrissae): Long, stiff tactile hairs extending from the snout; they aid in spatial navigation and are positioned symmetrically on each side.
- Eyes: Small, dark, and positioned on the sides of the head, providing a wide field of view but limited depth perception.
- Paws: Four forepaws and five hind paws, each equipped with sharp, curved claws for climbing and digging; the pads are hairless and pinkish in color.
- Tail: Hairless, scaly, and flexible, serving as a counterbalance during rapid movements and as a thermoregulatory organ.
The skeletal structure consists of a lightweight skull with prominent nasal bones, a flexible vertebral column, and elongated hind limbs that enable swift, erratic locomotion. Musculature is adapted for rapid bursts of speed and agile climbing. Overall, the morphology optimizes the animal for nocturnal foraging, burrowing, and evasion of predators.