Mouse Care: The 411

Scientific name: Mus musculus

Size: Mice measure in at about 3 1/2 inches (plus another 2 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches for the tail) and weigh just 1/2 to one ounce.

Lifespan: One to three years.

Colors/varieties
Lots of variety, including black, white, black and white, blue, violet and soft dove gray. As for kinds of coats, some mice are super sleek and shiny, while some mice have fur that's thick and curly.

  • Mice are upstanding members of the rodent family, which means they are mammals with sharp front teeth that never stop growing. You may also be familiar with their cousins—gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs and rats.

  • One mouse in the house just won't do. Like you, mice need friends—and if you keep two females together, they'll become best buds. There's a good chance that two males will fight, especially when they get older. Please don't keep males and females together, or they will have babies.

    • LEARN MORE
    - The 411
    - Chow Time!
    - Home Sweet Home
    - Fun & Games

    Parents and teachers, visit ASPCA.org for more mouse care tips to share with your students and children.

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