What does an adult mouse look like? - briefly
An adult mouse is about 7–10 cm long, has a tail roughly equal in length, and weighs 20–30 g. It possesses a compact, rounded body, pointed snout, prominent ears, and fur that is typically gray, brown, or a combination of both.
What does an adult mouse look like? - in detail
Adult mice are small mammals with a body length of 70–100 mm (2.8–4 in) measured from nose to the base of the tail. The tail extends an additional 70–100 mm, often matching or slightly exceeding body length. Weight ranges from 18 g to 30 g (0.6–1.1 oz) for typical laboratory or house strains; larger wild specimens may reach 40 g.
The head is proportionally large, featuring a pointed snout, prominent eyes set on the sides of the skull, and long, mobile whiskers (vibrissae) that extend several centimeters forward. Ears are thin, hairless, and round, measuring roughly 10–12 mm in length, and they can rotate independently to locate sound sources.
Fur covers the dorsal surface in a dense, short coat that is usually gray‑brown, black, or agouti (banded hairs). The ventral side is lighter, often white or pale gray, providing contrast that aids camouflage. Some strains display a distinct dorsal stripe or a mottled pattern. The fur length averages 2–3 mm; guard hairs are slightly longer and coarser.
Limbs consist of four digits on the forepaws and five on the hind paws, each equipped with sharp, retractable claws for climbing and digging. The hind limbs are more robust, enabling powerful jumps up to 30 cm (12 in). Musculature is well developed in the forelimbs for handling food and in the hind limbs for propulsion.
Sexual dimorphism is subtle. Males typically possess slightly larger bodies and longer tails, and they exhibit a small, fleshy glandular sac (preputial gland) near the genital area. Females have a more rounded abdomen when gravid and lack the preputial gland.
Key physical parameters:
- Body length: 70–100 mm
- Tail length: 70–100 mm
- Weight: 18–30 g (up to 40 g in wild forms)
- Ear length: 10–12 mm
- Whisker length: 30–50 mm
- Fur depth: 2–3 mm
The skeletal framework includes a lightweight skull with large auditory bullae, a flexible spine, and elongated metacarpal and metatarsal bones that support rapid movement. The vertebral column comprises 13 cervical, 6 thoracic, 5 lumbar, and a variable number of sacral and caudal vertebrae, ending in the tail vertebrae.
Overall, an adult mouse presents a compact, agile form optimized for nocturnal foraging, burrowing, and evasion, with a proportionate tail, pronounced sensory organs, and a fur coat that varies in coloration but remains uniformly short.