What lengths do mice have? - briefly
Mice generally have a body length of 5–10 cm (2–4 in), with the tail adding another 5–10 cm. Overall length therefore ranges from approximately 10 to 20 cm (4–8 in).
What lengths do mice have? - in detail
Mice display a broad spectrum of body dimensions that depend on species, age, sex and environmental conditions. The most frequently studied species, the common house mouse (Mus musculus), provides a reference range for laboratory and wild populations.
Adult body length, measured from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail, typically falls between 6 cm and 10 cm (2.4–4 in). Tail length usually adds another 5 cm to 9 cm (2.0–3.5 in), resulting in a total length of 11 cm to 19 cm (4.3–7.5 in). Females tend to be slightly smaller than males, with average differences of about 0.5 cm in head‑body length.
Juvenile mice grow rapidly. At birth, total length averages 2 cm (0.8 in). By the third week, head‑body length reaches approximately 5 cm (2 in), and the tail approximates 4 cm (1.6 in). Full adult size is usually attained by the eighth week.
Other common murine species exhibit distinct size patterns:
- Field mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus): head‑body length 7–12 cm (2.8–4.7 in); tail length 6–10 cm (2.4–3.9 in).
- Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus): head‑body length 8–11 cm (3.1–4.3 in); tail length 7–12 cm (2.8–4.7 in).
- Wood mouse (Apodemus flavicollis): head‑body length 9–12 cm (3.5–4.7 in); tail length 8–11 cm (3.1–4.3 in).
Geographic variation influences size. Populations in colder climates often exhibit larger body dimensions, consistent with Bergmann’s rule, while those in warmer regions tend to be smaller.
Measurement standards recommend using calipers for head‑body length and a flexible ruler for tail length. Recording both dimensions separately allows accurate comparison across studies and facilitates identification of subspecies or phenotypic adaptations.