Where are mice found? - briefly
Mice occupy diverse settings, including natural areas such as fields, forests, and grasslands, as well as human-made structures like homes, barns, and warehouses. They persist wherever food, shelter, and water are accessible.
Where are mice found? - in detail
Mice inhabit a broad range of environments across all major biogeographic regions. Their presence is recorded from temperate zones of North America and Europe to tropical areas of South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Species such as the house mouse (Mus musculus) thrive in human‑dominated settings, including residential buildings, farms, grain warehouses, and commercial food facilities. Field mice (Apodemus spp.) occupy natural habitats like grasslands, forest edges, hedgerows, and shrublands, where they find cover and seed resources. In arid and semi‑arid regions, desert‑adapted mice such as the cactus mouse (Peromyscus eremicus) shelter in rocky crevices and under vegetation.
Key locations where mice are commonly encountered include:
- Indoor spaces: kitchens, basements, attics, and wall voids; areas with food residues or stored commodities.
- Outdoor structures: barns, sheds, stables, and outbuildings that provide nesting material and protection from predators.
- Natural ecosystems: meadow grasses, leaf litter, underbrush, and riparian zones offering foraging opportunities.
- Urban infrastructure: subway tunnels, sewer systems, and abandoned buildings that maintain stable temperatures and humidity.
Seasonal shifts influence distribution patterns. In colder months, populations move toward insulated structures or underground burrows, while warmer periods see expansion into open fields and agricultural lands. Elevational limits vary among species; some rodents occupy lowland plains, whereas others, such as the alpine mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), are found at elevations exceeding 2,000 meters.
Overall, mouse distribution reflects adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, availability of shelter, and access to food sources, resulting in a worldwide presence in both natural and anthropogenic habitats.