Where do mice live

Mice are one of the most numerous groups of mammals. In nature, there are more than 80 species of rodents belonging to the genus mouse. The animal quickly adapts to environmental conditions, tolerates heat and cold well. Unpretentiousness to the habitat, fecundity, feeding habits allowed the animals to colonize the entire planet. The question of where the mice live can be asked repeatedly. Because the rodent is found almost everywhere.

Wildlife

Mice live in nature on trees, in hollows, holes, nests. Some representatives of mice choose arid terrain, others types of mice settled closer to the waters. The animals swim well, but prefer not to fall into the water.

You can see the animal in the garden, in the garden, in the forest, on the field, in the rocks. There is not a single corner on earth to which small nimble animals could not adapt.

• In the ground, mice dig numerous turns, build entire tunnels. Under the ground, spend most of the time, raise offspring. Get out to the surface to search for food.
• On trees, mice often occupy the abandoned hollows of other animals, construct a dwelling in cracks. Build nests like birds from twigs, sticks, moss. Or they simply ruin the already ready nests of birds, settle there themselves.
• In the rocky mountainous area, mice make a nest in caves, under stones, on descents.

Rodents in nature

You can notice mice in the dark. It is at this time that the peak of activity comes. The animals look for food, stock up, feed babies, mate. With a shortage of food, the mouse at its own risk and risk out of the shelter during the day.

On a note!

In nature, mice behave cautiously, as they are the main food for many predators. Birds, reptiles, hedgehogs eat mice. With any danger flee, briskly hiding in the hole. But if you have to protect the kids, the female bravely rushes into battle with the enemy, who is several times larger than her own.

Rodents on human territory

The habitat of mice is not limited to nature. With the onset of cold weather, they prefer to settle in the realm of man. House, apartment, warehouses, barns, outbuildings, sheds, garages. There is not a single structure that was not visited by the mouse.

In the mouse visit, they settle under the floor, in the gaps between the walls, on the ceiling, attics, basements. They gnaw a hole or build a nest from improvised means. They drag sticks, feathers, cloth, hair, foam, building materials that are used for wall insulation.

Mice in the house

They prefer to settle in close proximity to the place with food reserves. Mice live in the kitchen, in the pantry, barns. Trying not to appear in the eyes of people. But with a large number of rodents in the house, when there is a struggle for survival, they gain arrogance, they crawl out of the shelter during the day.

Appearance Tricks

In nature, nothing happens just like that. The appearance of the mice is dictated by the habitat. The mouse looks dull, gray, usually. This is what allows you to stay cautious little creature imperceptible in the dark. After all, with the onset of night, the rodent is active.

On a note!

Depending on the habitat - swamp, field, rocky terrain, forest, color varies.

The body of the mouse is covered with short, thick hair of gray, black, brown, and red. The length of the tail varies from one mouse to another. Basically 1/3 of the length of the body. Such a mouse structure applies to most species of this family.

In the exterior of the mouse, round, relatively large ears, expressive eyes are distinguished. The muzzle can be blunt, sharp. Small legs allow mice to develop high speed. It is impossible to keep up with the animal without skills. Constant mobility protects the animal from freezing in winter, overheating in summer. The length of the body can reach 10 cm, without taking into account the tail, the weight is about 50 g. In the photo you can see a visually sweet, small creature.

Power Features

The way of life of mice is directly related to the diet. Rodents settle in places where you can quickly gain access to food. The organism of animals is arranged in such a way that they do not tolerate hunger. On the day of an adult, you need to eat about 6 g of a variety of foods. In the case of absolute starvation, the mouse dies in 3 days.

Small rodents prefer plant foods:

• cereals;
• cereals;
• flour;
• succulent parts of plants;
• roots;
• young shoots of trees;
• bark.

In adverse conditions mice eat berries, fruits, vegetables. Periodically replenish the body with proteins - eat caterpillars, beetles, worms. Do not mind to eat eggs of birds.

On a note!

The mouse does not belong to predators, but when creating conditions unfavorable for life, the animal eats its compatriots, cubs, chickens, carrion.

Nutrition and reproduction of mice

On the human territory, the diet of mice is expanding significantly. They eat all edible products - ready, semi-finished, raw. In addition to cereals, flour, grains gnaw:

• vegetables;
• bread;
• cheese;
• sausage;
• meat;
• biscuit;
• canned food;
• fish

An interesting fact about mice is that cheese is not a favorite treat for mice. They prefer vegetable food. Left traces of the teeth of mice on wood, plastic, bricks, foam, plastic create the impression of omnivorous mice. But the hard, inedible materials of the mouse gnaw for a different purpose.

Each jaw has a pair of incisors that grow daily throughout life. The animals are forced to constantly grind them. To do this, look for solid objects, gnaw, leaving behind a chip, sawdust, small pieces.

Rodents breeding

The life of mice is associated with constant risk. Every day, different predators hunt a small rodent. Starting from a harmless hedgehog, ending with a fox, a wolf, a cat - they all belong to predators, who eats mice. Provides survival mice reproduction intensity. For the year, the female gives life to 3-4 offspring. In each litter from 3 to 11 mice.

On a note!

Mouse lifespan in natural habitat is 3 years. However, before this period, the mouse often does not live. When kept as a pet, the rodent lives up to 6 years.

The process of mating mice does not take much time. Males do not court females, immediately get down to business.After 20-25 days, new offspring appears. Mice are blind, naked, helpless. After 14 days, open the eyes, acquire the first teeth. After 5 weeks of birth, the young female is ready for fertilization. The male "ripens" a week later.

Mouse - well known to every animal. It lives in the wild, lives in the house of man, feels great in a cage as a pet.