What is a baby mouse? - briefly
The term «baby mouse» denotes a newborn rodent, typically hairless with pink skin and closed eyes, weighing only a few grams. It remains with its mother for nourishment and warmth until fur appears and eyes open at about two weeks of age.
What is a baby mouse? - in detail
A newborn mouse, often called a pup, emerges after a gestation period of approximately 19–21 days. At birth the animal weighs around 1 gram and is hairless, blind, and deaf. The skin appears pinkish and the ears are folded against the head.
Development proceeds rapidly. Within a few days the eyes open, fur begins to grow, and the ears lift. By the end of the second week the pup can move independently, though it still relies on the mother for warmth and nutrition. Weaning occurs around three weeks of age, after which the young mouse begins to consume solid food and separates from the nest.
Key physiological traits of the infant stage include:
- High metabolic rate requiring frequent nursing; each feeding supplies essential antibodies via the mother’s milk.
- Rapid growth: body mass increases tenfold in the first three weeks.
- Immature immune system, making the young vulnerable to pathogens and temperature fluctuations.
Behaviorally, the pups exhibit:
- Constant huddling for thermoregulation.
- Scent‑based communication with the dam to locate nipples.
- Limited locomotion, primarily crawling within the nest until the fur develops.
Maternal care is critical. The mother provides warmth, milk, and protection, and she discards any pup that fails to thrive, ensuring the survival of the healthier offspring. Once weaned, the juvenile transitions to independent foraging, establishing territories and eventually reaching sexual maturity at about six weeks.