Physical Characteristics:
* Size: Typically 3-10 cm (1.2-4 inches) long, excluding the tail, which can be almost as long as the body.
* Weight: Usually weigh between 12-30 grams (0.4-1.1 oz).
* Coat: Can be brown, grey, white, black, or a combination of these colors. The coat can be short and smooth, or long and fluffy, depending on the species.
* Tail: Long, slender, and hairless, with a scaly appearance.
* Ears: Large, pointed, and sensitive to sound.
* Whiskers: Long, sensitive hairs located around the mouth and on the face, used to sense the environment.
* Teeth: Continuously growing incisors, used for gnawing.
Behavioral Characteristics:
* Nocturnal: Mostly active at night, although some species can be active during the day.
* Social: Live in groups, often consisting of a breeding pair and their young.
* Intelligent: Can learn and remember things, including how to solve problems and escape from traps.
* Agile: Can climb, jump, and squeeze through very small spaces.
* Territorial: Defend their territory from other mice.
* Curious: Often explore their surroundings, which can make them prone to getting into trouble.
* Nesting: Build nests in sheltered places, using materials like paper, cloth, and leaves.
Dietary Characteristics:
* Omnivorous: Eat a variety of foods, including seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, insects, and even meat.
* Gnawing: Have a constant need to gnaw, which helps keep their teeth from overgrowing.
* Water: Need access to fresh water to stay hydrated.
Other Characteristics:
* Reproduction: Female mice can have multiple litters per year, with each litter containing 5-10 pups.
* Lifespan: Average lifespan is 1-2 years, although some species can live up to 3-4 years.
* Diseases: Can carry and spread diseases, including hantavirus and salmonellosis.
It's important to remember that there are many different species of mice, each with its own unique characteristics. However, the general traits listed above apply to most common house mice.