What is the term for a male mouse? - briefly
The male of the species Mus is commonly called a buck. In scientific writing the phrase “male mouse” may also be used, but “buck” remains the standard term.
What is the term for a male mouse? - in detail
The appropriate designation for an adult male of the species Mus musculus is “buck.” In laboratory and breeding contexts the term is frequently used to differentiate the sex of a specimen. Alternative labels occasionally appear, such as “stud mouse,” especially when the animal is employed for reproductive purposes, but “buck” remains the standard zoological term.
- Etymology – “Buck” originates from Old English bucca, historically applied to male deer and later extended to various mammals, including rodents.
- Scientific usage – Taxonomic descriptions and research papers list “buck” alongside “doe” (female) when reporting sex‑specific data, such as hormone levels or breeding outcomes.
- Behavioral implications – Male mice typically exhibit territorial marking, increased aggression toward conspecifics, and a higher frequency of ultrasonic vocalizations during courtship. These traits are often referenced in studies that compare “buck” and “doe” phenotypes.
- Breeding terminology – In controlled breeding programs, a “stud mouse” denotes a selected buck used to sire litters, emphasizing its reproductive role rather than its general sex classification.
Understanding the term’s precise meaning aids accurate communication in scientific literature, animal husbandry, and veterinary practice.