All About Mice

A mouse is classified as a small mammal in the scientific order of rodents.  The most well known  species of mouse is the house mouse, which also makes for a popular pet.  Field mice are also commonly found in some areas, and serve as prey for large birds like eagles and hawks.  Occasionally they will invade homes looking for food and shelter.

Also known to live in houses are the deer mouse and American White-footed Mice, as well as various other closely related rodents across the globe.

In captivity, mice can have a lifespan of over two years; in the wild, heavy predation limits their average lifespan to only around four months.  Mice have a wide array of natural predators: foxes, cats, birds of prey, wild dogs, certain types of arthropods, and snakes have all been known to feed upon mice.  Despite the many dangers mice face, they are able to adapt remarkably quickly to nearly any environment.  This fact, combined with the ability to live alongside humans, makes mice among some of the most successful mammals on Earth.

At times mice can be harmful.  They damage and eat crops, cause structural damage, and spread disease and parasites via their feces.  Hantavirus has been linked to mice droppings after victims breathed dust that had been exposed to mice droppings.  Hantavirus may lead to the more serious Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, or HPS.  Mice may also well be responsible for the original domestication of cats, which are thought to have initially been kept to prey on rats and mice.

How to Prevent a Mouse Infestation

Mice can be considered pests, especially by homeowners, because of structural damage and the risk of spreading diseases, such as Hantavirus, to humans. Because of this, mouse control is a large industry comprised of companies that sell mouse traps and repellents.

Mouse traps come in several varieties. Bait, such as cheese or chocolate, is used to lure mice to the traps. Live traps catch mice, so they can be set free outside the home.

On the other hand, the traditional spring-loaded bar traps kill mice by breaking their necks or spinal cords. Glue traps prevent the mouse from moving once it walks on the trap, and it eventually dies from starvation, dehydration, or exposure.

More advanced, electric mouse traps kill mice using a lethal dose of electricity. Electronic mouse traps are preferred by families because of a safety mechanism, which disables the electrical charge once the trap is opened. Electric traps are also the most humane lethal method of killing mice, providing an instant death for a mouse once shocked. These traps are highly effective at killing mice.

Most mouse repellents are comprised of ultrasonic devices or a repellent powder, such as dried bobcat urine. Ultrasonic repellents emit a high frequency sound, too high for humans to hear, which mice find unbearable. The effectiveness of traps like these is debatable.

As Pets

Mice aren’t considered pests by everyone. They are frequently bought as a companion pet.  Mice can be loving, playful, and will usually become accustomed to being handled.  Because they have so many natural predators, such as dogs, cats, and birds, pet mice shouldn’t be outside without supervision. Male mice usually have a more noticeable odor than female mice.  Some common products for caring for your pet mice are:

• Cage – Special mouse cages can be found, but a gerbil or hamster cage works fine.
• Food – Seed-based pellets made specifically for mice are available.  Generally, mice can eat food intended for other rodents (hamsters, rats, gerbils, etc.)
• Bedding – Usually, bedding for mice consists of hardwood pulp, like aspen.  Sometimes virgin wood pulp that has been recycled, or shredded, ink-free paper is used.  Corn husks are not recommended – they can harbor Aspergillus fungus and cause mold when wet, which can be rough on mice feet.  To avoid harmful effects on the lung function of mice, studies show that they should not be around scented tree chips, such as pine.

Because mice are mostly nocturnal and will scurry around during the night, many mouse owners prefer to keep their mice outside of the bedroom.  Mice use their excellent sense of hearing to compensate for their rather poor eyesight.  They are also heavily reliant on the sense of smell for finding food and avoiding predators.

As Food for Pets

In many parts of the world, mice are used to feed other pets, like lizards, tarantulas, snakes, and birds of prey.  Pet stores will frequently offer mice as food for other pets.  However, some countries like the United Kingdom and Germany have cited ethical concerns for both prey and predator and have outlawed this practice.

Mice sold as pet food are commonly referred to by different names to indicate size and/or age, such as “pinkies”, “crawlers”, “adults”, “fuzzies”, and “hoppers”.  ”Pinkies” are newborns that are still hairless; “fuzzies” have a small amount of fur, but are still mostly immobile; and “hoppers” are not yet adult mice, but have fully grown hair and are mobile.  Furry mice are more convincing to the animal when fed, but fur-less mice are easier to consume and digest.

Sponsored Guest Post by Victor®

Works Cited

Mouse. 22 March 2010. 23 March 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouse>