Mouse
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2008-07-15T16:27:20Z
Epbr123
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rv pov (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{dablink|This article is about the rodent. For the computing input device, see [[Mouse (computing)]]. For other uses of the word mouse, see [[Mouse (disambiguation)]].}}
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{{Taxobox
| name = Mouse
| fossil_range = Late [[Miocene]] - Recent434
| image =Apodemus_sylvaticus_bosmuis.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = [[House mouse]], ''Mus musculus''
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Rodent]]ia
| superfamilia = [[Muroidea]]
| familia = [[Muridae]]
| subfamilia = [[Murinae]]
| genus = '''''Mus'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision = 30 species; see text<br />
}}
[[Image:Mouse vermin02.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Feral]] mouse]]
A '''mouse''' (plural '''mice''') is a small animal that belongs to one of numerous [[species (biology)|species]] of [[rodent]]s. The best known mouse species is the [[House Mouse|common house mouse]] (''Mus musculus''). It is found in nearly all countries and, as the laboratory mouse, serves as a [[model organism]] in biology. It is also a popular [[pet]]. The American [[white-footed mouse]] (''Peromyscus leucopus'') and the [[deer mouse]] (''[[Peromyscus maniculatus]]'') also sometimes live in houses. These species of mice live [[commensalism|commensally]] with humans.
Although mice may live up to two years in the lab, the average mouse in the wild lives only about 5 months, primarily due to heavy [[predation]]. [[Cat]]s, wild [[dog]]s, [[fox]]es, [[bird of prey|birds of prey]], [[snake]]s and even certain kinds of [[insect]]s have been known to prey heavily upon mice. Nevertheless, due to its remarkable adaptability to almost any [[ecological niche|environment]], and its ability to live commensally with humans, the mouse is regarded to be the third most successful mammalian species living on Earth today, after humans and the [[rat]].
Mice can be harmful [[Pest (organism)|pests]], damaging and eating [[Crop (agriculture)|crops]] and spreading [[disease]]s through their [[parasite]]s and [[feces]]. In western North America, breathing dust that has come in contact with mouse feces has been linked to the deadly [[hantavirus]]. The original motivation for the domestication of [[cat]]s is thought to have been for their predation of mice and their relatives, the [[rat]]s.
== History ==
Mice have been known to humans since antiquity. The Romans differentiated poorly between mice and rats, calling rats ''Mus Maximus'' (big mouse) and referring to mice as ''Mus Minimus'' (little mouse). In Spanish similar terms are in use: ''ratón'' for mouse and ''rata'' for rat. Mice can be also kept as house pets as some people sell them in petshops<ref>{{cite web
| title= Etymology of mammal names
| work=IberiaNature
| url=http://www.iberianature.com/trivia/etymology_mammals.htm
| accessdate=2007-05-21
}}</ref>
De-coloration in mice was supposedly first noticed in China by 1100 BC, where a white mouse was discovered. However, there is sufficient evidence to believe that white mice were first noticed before that.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}
The word "mouse" and the word muscle are related. Muscle stems from ''musculus'' meaning small mouse - possibly because of a similarity in shape.<ref>{{cite web
| title=Mouse
| work=Online Etymology Dictionary
| url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=mouse
| accessdate=2007-05-21
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| title=Muscle
| work=Online Etymology Dictionary
| url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=muscle
| accessdate=2007-05-21
}}</ref> The word "mouse" is a [[cognate]] of [[Sanskrit]] ''mus'' meaning 'to steal,' which is also cognate with ''mys'' in [[Old Greek]] and ''mus'' in [[Latin]].<ref>{{cite web
| title=Introduction
| work=The Beginnings: Ode to a Wee Mouse
| url=http://www.worldscibooks.com/lifesci/etextbook/p393/p393_chap1.pdf
| accessdate=2007-05-21
}}</ref>
=== Characteristics ===
Mice range in size from {{convert|5|to|7|in|abbr=on}} long (including a long tail). They weigh from {{convert|.25|to|2|oz|abbr=on}}. The coat color ranges from white to brown to gray. Most mice have a pointed snout with long whiskers, round ears, and thin tails. Many mice scurry along the ground, but some can hop or jump.
== Distribution and Habitat ==
All species of ''Mus'' are native to [[Eurasia]] and [[Africa]], where they range from lowlands to mountaintops. The five species in the subgenus ''Pyromys'' are found in [[Sri Lanka]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]], and mainland [[Southeast Asia]]. Much of their range originally consisted of open [[grasslands]] or grassy patches in [[forests]].
=== Behavior ===
Mice are timid, social, and territorial. They are usually active in the night time, while others, such as the [[harvest mouse]], are active both day and night.
Mice rely on their senses while exploring their environment. One dominant sense is that of [[olfaction]]. While exploring their environment, mice actively [[sniff]] to acquire information about their surroundings. Sniffing behavior is therefore important in guiding behaviors such as [[feeding]], [[reproduction]], and rearing young. While resting a mouse will sniff between 2-4 times a second, a frequency which increases to levels between 6-15 times a second when the animal is aroused or actively exploring odors.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18534995?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum</ref>
== Reproduction ==
[[Image:Baby mice.jpg|right|thumb|Baby mice just a day old]]
Breeding onset is at about 50 days of age in both females and males, although females may have their first estrus at 25-40 days. Mice are polyestrous and breed year round; ovulation is spontaneous. The duration of the estrous cycle is 4-5 days and estrus itself lasts about 12 hours, occurring in the evening. Vaginal smears are useful in timed matings to determine the stage of the estrous cycle. Mating is usually nocturnal and may be confirmed by the presence of a copulatory plug in the vagina up to 24 hours post-copulation. The presence of sperm on a vaginal smear is also a reliable indicator of mating.<ref name=lvma />
Female mice housed together tend to go into anestrus and do not cycle. If exposed to a male mouse or the pheromones of a male mouse, most of the females will go into estrus in about 72 hours. This synchronization of the estrous cycle is known as the [[Whitten effect]]. The exposure of a recently bred mouse to the pheromones of a strange male mouse may prevent implantation (or pseudopregnancy), a phenomenon known as the [[Bruce effect]].<ref name=lvma/>
The average gestation period is 20 days. A fertile postpartum estrus occurs 14-24 hours following [[parturition]], and simultaneous lactation and gestation prolongs gestation 3-10 days due to delayed implantation. The average [[litter (animal)|litter]] size is 10-12 during optimum production, but is highly strain dependent. As a general rule, [[inbred]] mice tend to have longer gestation periods and smaller litters than outbred and hybrid mice. The young are called pups and weigh {{convert|0.5|-|1.5|g|abbr=on}} at birth, are hairless, and have closed eyelids and ears. Cannibalism is uncommon, but females should not be disturbed during parturition and for at least 2 days postpartum. Pups are weaned at 3 weeks of age; weaning weight is {{convert|10|-|12|g|abbr=on}}. If the postpartum estrus is not utilized, the female resumes cycling 2-5 days postweaning.<ref name=lvma/>
Newborn male mice are distinguished from newborn females by noting the greater anogenital distance and larger genial papilla in the male. This is best accomplished by lifting the tails of [[littermate]]s and comparing [[perineum]]s.<ref name=lvma/>
== Species ==
{{Cleanup|date=May 2008}}
* Subgenus'' [[Coelomys]]''
**''[[Mus crociduroides]]'' (Western Sumatra)
**''[[Mus mayori]]'' (Sri Lanka)
**''[[Mus pahari]]'' (Northeastern India to southwestern Cambodia and northern Vietnam)
**''[[Mus vulcani]]'' (Western Java)
*Subgenus ''[[Mus (subgenus)|Mus]]''
**''[[Mus booduga]]'' (Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, southern Nepal, central Myanmar)
**''[[Mus caroli]]'' (Ryukyu islands, Taiwan and southern China to Thailand; introduced in Malaysia and western Indonesia)
**''[[Mus cervicolor]]'' (Northern India to Vietnam; introduced to Sumatra and Java)
**''[[Mus cookii]]'' (Southern and northeastern India and Nepal to Vietnam)
**''[[Mus cypriacus]]'' (Cyprus)
**''[[Mus famulus]]'' (Southwestern India)
**''[[Mus fragilicauda]]'' (Thailand and Laos)
** (''[[Mus macedonicus]]'') (Balkans to Israel and Iran)
**(''[[Mus musculus]]'') (introduced worldwide)
**''[[Mus nitidulus]]'' (Central Myanmar)
**(''[[Mus spicilegus]]'') (Austria to southern Ukraine and Greece)
** ''[[Mus spretus]]'') (Southern France, Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands, Morocco to Tunisia)
**''[[Mus terricolor]]'' (India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan; introduced to Sumatra)
*Subgenus ''[[Nannomys]]''
**''[[Mus baoulei]]'' (Ivory Coast to Guinea)
**''[[Mus bufo]]'' (Mountains of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and neighboring parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo)
**''[[Mus callewaerti]]'' (Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo)
**''[[Mus goundae]]'' (Central African Republic)
**''[[Mus haussa]]'' (Senegal to northern Nigeria)
**''[[Mus indutus]]'' (Southern Angola to western Zimbabwe and northern South Africa)
**''[[Mus mahomet]]'' (Ethiopia, southwestern Uganda and southwestern Kenya)
**''[[Mus mattheyi]]'' (Ghana)
**(''[[Mus minutoides]]'') (Zimbabwe, Southern Mozambique, South Africa)
**''[[Mus musculoides]]'' (Africa south of the Sahara, excluding the range of ''M. minutoides'')
**''[[Mus neavei]]'' (Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to northeastern South Africa)
**''[[Mus orangiae]]'' (South Africa)
**''[[Mus oubanguii]]'' (Central African Republic)
**''[[Mus setulosus]]'' (Senegal to Ethiopia and western Kenya)
**''[[Mus setzeri]]'' (Northeastern Namibia, Botswana, and western Zambia)
**''[[Mus sorella]]'' (Eastern Cameroon to western Tanzania)
**''[[Mus tenellus]]'' (Sudan to southern Somalia and central Tanzania)
**''[[Mus triton]]'' (Southern Ethiopia to central Angola and Malawi)
*Subgenus ''[[Pyromys]]''
**''[[Mus fernandoni]]'' (Sri Lanka)
**''[[Mus phillipsi]]'' (Southwestern India)
**''[[Mus platythrix]]'' (India)
**''[[Mus saxicola]]'' (Southern Pakistan, southern Nepal, and India)
**''[[Mus shortridgei]]'' (Myanmar to southwestern Cambodia and northwestern Vietnam)
== Laboratory mice ==
[[Image:PCWmice1.jpg|thumb|[[Knockout mice]]]]
Mice are common [[experiment]]al animals in [[biology]] and [[psychology]] primarily because they are mammals, and so share a high degree of [[homology (biology)|homology]] with humans. They are the most commonly used [[mammal]]ian [[model organism]], more common than [[rats]]. The mouse [[genome]] has been sequenced, and virtually all mouse [[gene]]s have human homologs. They can also be manipulated in ways that would be considered unethical to do with humans (note [[Animal Rights]]). A '''[[knockout mouse]]''' is a [[genetic engineering|genetically engineered]] [[mus musculus|mouse]] that has had one or more of its genes made inoperable through a [[gene knockout]].
There are other reasons for why mice are used in laboratory research. Mice are small, inexpensive, easily maintained, and can reproduce quickly. Several [[generation]]s of mice can be observed in a relatively short period of time. Mice are generally very docile if raised from birth and given sufficient human contact. However, certain strains have been known to be quite temperamental. Mice (and rats) have the same organs in the same places, just different proportions.
There are hundreds of established inbred, outbred, and [[transgenic]] strains. In the United States, mice are not protected by the [[Animal Welfare Act]] (AWA) (administered by the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA), [[APHIS]]). However, the [[Public Health Service Act]] (PHS) administered by the [[National Institutes of Health]] (NIH) does cover their treatment.
== As pets ==
{{main|Fancy mouse}}
Mice have gained popularity as pets. Many people buy mice as companion pets. They can be playful, loving and will get used to being handled, and run to you. Pet mice should not be left unsupervised outside as they have many natural predators such as birds. Male mice tend to have a stronger odor than the females, making females preferable even though they tend to be more expensive. Well looked after mice can make ideal pets. Some common mouse care products are:
* [[Fancy mouse#Caging|Cage]] - Usually a [[hamster]] or [[gerbil]] [[cage]], but special mouse cages are now available. You can also use a small [[aquarium]] (5 [[gallon]]s for up to 3 mice, 10 gallons for 8 or so mice) with a mesh top, so there is no risk of them escaping. But this is not recommended, as the lack of proper ventilation can cause respiratory complications in mice.
* [[mouse food|Food]] - Special pelleted and seed-based food is available. Mice can generally eat most rodent food (for rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, etc)
* [[Pet bedding|Bedding]] - Usually made of hardwood pulp, such as [[aspen]], sometimes from shredded, un[[ink]]ed [[paper]] or recycled virgin [[wood pulp]]. [[Cedar]] or [[pine]] should not be used because they contain harmful liquids that can damage any rodent's respiratory system. [[Corn husk]] bedding should not be used because it promotes ''Aspergillis'' [[fungus]], can grow [[mold]] once it gets wet and is rough on their feet.
[[Image:100 0726.JPG|thumb|250px|Pet mice]]
Some benefits of having mice as pets are
* Minimal shedding and allergens
* Entertaining and affectionate
* Inexpensive
* Clean (contrary to popular belief)
* Socially self-sufficient when in a group of other mice
* Significantly less likely to bite than other rodent pets
* Quite intelligent given their size
* Fun
* Loving
Disadvantages include:
* Small and quite fragile (not as easy to handle as a dog or a cat)
* Defecate and urinate frequently
* Nocturnal
* Frequent eye infections when under stress
* Easily subject to disease when without optimal care
* Frequent reproduction
* Short lifespan
* Susceptibility to many diseases
== Nutrition ==
Mice are commonly fed commercial pelleted mouse diet. These diets are nutritionally complete, but they still need a large variety of vegetables. Food intake is approximately {{convert|15|g|abbr=on}} per {{convert|100|g|abbr=on}} of body weight per day; water intake is approximately {{convert|15|ml|abbr=on}} per 100 g of body weight per day.<ref name=lvma>[http://www.lvma.org/mouse.html Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association]</ref>
== As food ==
[[Image:Feeder mice.jpg|250px|thumb|"Pinkie" mice for sale as [[reptile]] food]]
Humans have eaten mice since prehistoric times. They are still eaten as a delicacy throughout eastern [[Zambia]] and northern [[Malawi]], where they are an excellent seasonal source of [[protein]].[http://www.bridgewater.edu/~mtembo/mbeba.html]
In most other countries, mice are no longer routinely consumed by humans.
Across the U.S. pet owners keep exotic pets such as [[snakes]], [[lizards]], [[frogs]], [[tarantulas]], and [[bird of prey|birds of prey]]. Most US pet stores now carry mice for this purpose. Because they breed quickly, grow quickly, are easy to care for, and can be sold in a wide variety of sizes, this makes them suitable for consumption by animals of various sizes. Mice also seem to be a desirable food item for a very large variety of [[carnivores]]. Common terms used to refer to different age/size mice are pinkies, fuzzies, hoppers, and adults. Pinkies are newborn mice that have not yet grown fur; fuzzies have some fur but are not very mobile; hoppers have a full coat of hair and are fully mobile but are smaller than adult mice. These terms also refer to the various growth stages of [[rat]]s (also see [[Fancy rat]]).
== Popular Culture ==
* In the book and film of the same name; "[[The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy]]", mice are said to be the most intelligent beings on earth and that they commissioned the building of earth and now own it.
* [[Walt Disney]]'s most well-known characters such as [[Mickey]] and [[Minnie]] are mice.
* In C.S. Lewis second and third book the mouse character [[Reepicheep]] appears
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== See also ==
{{Wiktionary}}
{{Commons|Mus}}
{{wikispecies|Mus}}
*[[Audiograms in mammals]]
*[[House mouse]]
*[[Mice in fiction]]
*[[Mouse trap]]
*[[Mouse (computing)]]
*[[Musophobia]] (fear of mice)
*[[Vacanti mouse]]
== External links ==
*[http://www.fancymice.info Fancy Mice 'A complete resource for pet owners and show breeders']
*[http://www.miceandrats.com/miceas.htm Mice as pets]
*[http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050718/full/050718-2.html Impact of mice on endangered species]
*[http://brainmaps.org/index.php?p=speciesdata&species=mus-musculus High-resolution images of cross section of mice brains]
*[http://www.worldscibooks.com/lifesci/etextbook/p393/p393_chap1.pdf History of the mouse] (with focus on their use in genetics studies)
[[Category:Mice|*]]
[[Category:Muroid rodents]]
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