Which animals are classified as mice? - briefly
The designation “mouse” refers to several small rodent species, primarily the house mouse (Mus musculus) and other Muridae members such as field mice (Apodemus spp.), and also includes non‑Muridae rodents commonly called mice, like the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus).
Which animals are classified as mice? - in detail
Mice are small rodents belonging primarily to the family Muridae, although the term also applies to members of the family Cricetidae and a few other groups. The most widely recognized genus is Mus, which includes the common house mouse (Mus musculus) and related species such as the Algerian mouse (Mus spretus) and the Asian mouse (Mus cervicolor). These species share a characteristic body length of 6–10 cm, a pointed snout, and a relatively long tail.
Beyond the true mice of the Muridae family, the vernacular label extends to several genera in the Cricetidae family:
- Peromyscus – North American deer mice, e.g., the white‑footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and the California deer mouse (Peromyscus californicus).
- Apodemus – Eurasian field mice, including the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius).
- Onychomys – North American grasshopper mice, such as the northern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys leucogaster).
- Micromys – The Eurasian harvest mouse (Micromys minutus), noted for its exceptionally small size and seed‑spooned tail.
Some additional taxa are colloquially called mice despite belonging to distinct families:
- Pseudomys – Australian native mice, e.g., the spinifex hopping mouse (Pseudomys australis).
- Rattus species in certain contexts are referred to as “field mice,” though they are technically rats.
Key diagnostic features that unite these groups include a high breeding rate, omnivorous diet, and adaptations for rapid reproduction. Laboratory research primarily utilizes the house mouse (Mus musculus) because of its well‑characterized genome and ease of maintenance. Conservation status varies: many field and harvest mice are abundant, while some island or habitat‑restricted species face threats from habitat loss and invasive predators.
In summary, the label “mouse” encompasses a range of small rodent species across several genera, chiefly within Muridae and Cricetidae, each defined by specific morphological and ecological traits.