What is a mouse with a short tail called? - briefly
A mouse with a markedly reduced tail is termed a short‑tailed mouse, also known as a tailless mouse. In laboratory settings the C57BL/6J strain exemplifies this phenotype.
What is a mouse with a short tail called? - in detail
A mouse whose tail is noticeably shorter than that of typical house‑mouse species is commonly referred to as a short‑tailed mouse. The designation applies to several North American rodents, most often members of the genus Peromyscus, especially the species Peromyscus maniculatus (commonly called the deer mouse) and Peromyscus leucopus (the white‑footed mouse). These animals are distinguished by a tail length that measures roughly equal to or shorter than the combined length of the head and body.
Key characteristics:
- Tail proportion: Tail length ranges from 70 % to 100 % of body length, compared with 120 %–150 % in Mus musculus.
- Fur coloration: Dorsal coat varies from gray‑brown to reddish; ventral side is lighter, often white.
- Ear size: Large, rounded ears relative to skull size.
- Habitat: Forest edges, grasslands, and shrublands; they construct nests in leaf litter or burrows.
- Diet: Omnivorous; consumes seeds, insects, and occasional fruit.
- Reproduction: Breeding season peaks in spring and summer; litter size averages 4–6 pups.
- Distribution: Wide range across North America, from Canada to Mexico, adapting to diverse climates.
Scientific classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Cricetidae
- Genus: Peromyscus
- Species: P. maniculatus and P. leucopus (principal examples)
The shortened tail provides functional advantages in dense underbrush, reducing the risk of injury and aiding in thermoregulation. Morphologically, the tail possesses fewer vertebrae and a reduced amount of hair, contributing to its compact appearance. In field identification, the tail’s length relative to body size, combined with pelage pattern, serves as the primary diagnostic feature.