3597-Gelbhals Mouse 15 cm.L

Gelbhals Mouse

Description A mouse is a small furry rodent that has a round body and ears, pointed snout, and a long tail. While some people consider rats and mice as the same, they are actually different. Compared to mice, rats are bigger and cylindrical in shape. Mice can be color white, grey, or brown. They normally grow between 1- 7 inches and have a weight of 0.5 to 1 ounce. The smallest kind of mouse in the world is the African pygmy, which has an average length of 1.2 to 3.1 inches and weight of .35 ounce. It is important to note that the mentioned lengths do not include the tail, as a mouse’s tail can be of the same length as its body. They are very territorial and are omnivorous animals. They eat fruits, grains, seeds, and just about anything. In some cases, they even eat each other. Although they are small, they have huge appetites and eat 15- 20 times a day. Because of this, they usually nest in places that have easy access to food. They have bad eyesight and utilize their sense of smell in order to locate food. In addition, they also have excellent sense of hearing. Mice are resilient creatures and can live in almost any type of terrain in every country. Normally, they can be found in forests, manmade structures, and grasslands. In the wild, they live in burrows to protect themselves from predators such as foxes, birds, wild dogs, and cats.

Status Most populations of mice are stable, but there are few species which are considered Endangered. One of this is the Alabama beach mouse whose population has been threatened by the destruction of their natural habitat due to hurricanes. The New Mexico jumping mouse is also listed as Endangered because of drought, wildfires, and other risks.