Difference between revisions of "Mouse" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
Line 15: Line 15:
 
[[Image:Mouse vermin02.jpg|thumb|250px|Feral mouse]]
 
[[Image:Mouse vermin02.jpg|thumb|250px|Feral mouse]]
  
−
There is much disagreement over what range of animals is encompassed by the term '''mouse''' (plural '''mice'''). In ''Webster's Third New International Dictionary'', a mouse is defined as "any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats with pointed snout, rather small ears, elongated body and slender hairless or sparsely haired tail, including all the small members of the genus Mus and many members of other rodent genera and families having little more in common than their relatively small size." However, the order ''Rodentia'' contains a wide range of families, each of which contain some animals that may be referred to as mice. The family ''Muridae'' itself contains over one thousand different species, including voles, gerbils and rats. There are some definitions (such as the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' definition) of mouse that assert that any animal in the family ''Muridae'' is a mouse. Within the ''Muridae'' family is the subfamily ''Murinae'', and within this subfamily is the genus ''Mus''. Some definitions (such as the ''Merriam-Webster'' definition) define a "mouse" as a member of the genus ''Mus''.  
+
There is some disagreement over what range of animals is encompassed by the term '''mouse''' (plural '''mice'''). In ''Webster's Third New International Dictionary'', a mouse is defined as "any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats with pointed snout, rather small ears, elongated body and slender hairless or sparsely haired tail, including all the small members of the genus Mus and many members of other rodent genera and families having little more in common than their relatively small size." However, the order ''Rodentia'' (in the kingdom ''Animalia'', phylum ''Chordata'', and subphylum ''Vertebrata'') contains a wide range of families, many of which contain some animals that may be referred to as mice. The family ''Muridae'' itself contains over one thousand different species, including voles, gerbils and rats. There are some definitions (such as the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' definition) of mouse that assert that any animal in the family ''Muridae'' is a mouse. Within the ''Muridae'' family is the subfamily ''Murinae'', and within this subfamily is the genus ''Mus''. Some definitions (such as the ''Merriam-Webster'' definition) define a "mouse" as a member of the genus ''Mus''. The remainder of this article will assume a mouse to be any animal within the genus ''Mus'' unless otherwise stated.  
  
−
The best known mouse species is the common house mouse (''Mus musculus''). It is found in nearly all countries and, as the laboratory mouse, serves as an important [[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 (though they are not included in the 'house mouse' category, nor are they included in the genus ''Mus''). These species of mice live commensally with humans. The remainder of this article will assume a mouse to be any animal within the genus ''Mus''.  
+
The best known mouse species is the common house mouse (''Mus musculus''). It is found in nearly all countries and, as the laboratory mouse, serves as an important [[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 (though they are not included in the 'house mouse' category, nor are they included in the genus ''Mus''). These species of mice generally live commensally with humans (that is, they benefit from humans without affecting humans either positively or negatively).  
  
−
Although they may live up to two years in the lab, the average mouse in the wild lives only about three months, primarily due to heavy predation. [[Cat]]s, wild [[dog]]s, [[fox|foxes]], [[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 incredible adaptability to almost any environment, and its ability to live commensally to humans, it is regarded to be the second most successful mammalian species living on earth today, after the [[rat]].
+
Although they may live up to two years in the lab, the average mouse in the wild lives only about three months, primarily due to heavy predation. [[Cat]]s, wild [[dog]]s, [[fox|foxes]], [[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 incredible adaptability to almost any environment and its general ability to live commensally to humans, it is regarded to be the second most successful mammalian species living on earth today (the first being the [[rat]]).
  
−
Mice can be harmful [[pest]]s, damaging and eating crops and spreading diseases through their [[parasite]]s and feces. In the Western U.S., breathing dust, which 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.
+
In some ways, mice can be harmful [[pest]]s, damaging and eating crops and spreading diseases through their [[parasite]]s and feces. In the Western U.S., breathing dust which has come in contact with mouse feces has been linked to the deadly (though rare) 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.
  
 
==Body and behavior==
 
==Body and behavior==
  
−
Mice are small rodents, resembling diminutive rats. Usually they have pointed snouts and small ears. The body is typically elongated with slender usually hairless tails, but different types of mice show large variations. Body dimensions vary considerably by species. Here are some approximate values: total length 28-130 mm, mass: 2.5 to >34g<ref name = Novak> Nowak, Ronald M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1936 pp. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9</ref>
+
Mice are small rodents, resembling diminutive rats. Usually, they have pointed snouts, small ears, an elongated body, and slender, hairless tails. However, different types of mice show large variations in physical features, and body dimensions especially vary considerably by species. The following are approximate values of physical features of an average mouse: a total body length of 28-130 mm and body mass of 2.5 to >34g<ref name = Novak> Nowak, Ronald M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1936 pp. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9</ref>.
  
−
Mice generally live on a [[herbivore]] diet, but are actually [[omnivore]]s: they will eat meat, the dead bodies of other mice, and have been observed to self-cannibalize their tails during starvation. Grasshopper mice are an exception to the rule, being the only fully [[carnivore|carnivorous]] mice. Mice eat [[grain]]s, [[fruit]]s, and seeds for a regular diet, which is the main reason they damage crops. They are also known to eat their own droppings on rare occasions.
+
Mice generally live on a [[herbivore]] diet, but are actually [[omnivore]]s, as they will at times eat meat, such as the dead bodies of other mice. They have also been observed to self-cannibalize their tails during starvation. Grasshopper mice are an exception to the rule, being the only fully [[carnivore|carnivorous]] mice. On average, mice eat [[grain]]s, [[fruit]]s, and seeds for a regular diet, which is the main reason they are known to damage crops. They are also known to eat their own droppings on rare occasions.
  
−
Mice are social animals. They prefer to live in groups. Male rivalry can become harmful for the animal, especially when confined to little space. The natural habitats of the mouse are very diverse. Mice can be found in forests, savannahs, grasslands and rocky habitats <ref name = Novak/>. In Africa they tend to particularly like forest edge, derived savannah, and of course agricultural areas. Mice build nests for protection and warmth but species have different preferences: ''M. minutoides'' nests in shallow burrows. ''M. caroli'' and ''M. cervicolor'' burrow. ''M. shortridgei'' and ''M. pahari'' nest aboveground. Most species will construct nests of grass, fibers, and shredded material <ref name = Novak/>. Mice do not hibernate.
+
Mice are social animals, preferring to live in groups. Male rivalry can become harmful for the animal, especially when confined to a small space. The natural habitats of the mouse are very diverse. Mice can be found in forests, savannahs, grasslands and rocky habitats <ref name = Novak/>. In Africa they tend to particularly like forest edge, derived savannah, and agricultural areas. Mice build nests for protection and warmth, though different species have varying preferences: ''M. minutoides'' nests in shallow burrows. ''M. caroli'' and ''M. cervicolor'' burrow. ''M. shortridgei'' and ''M. pahari'' nest aboveground. Most species will construct nests of grass, fibers, and shredded material <ref name = Novak/>. Mice do not hibernate.
  
−
The mouse has bichromatic vision, lacking a photopigment that can detect red light.<ref>Jacobs GH, Williams GA, Fenwick JA.  Influence of cone pigment co-expression on spectral sensitivity and color vision in the mouse.  Vision Res. 2004; 44(14):1615-22</ref>
+
The mouse has bichromatic vision (meaning they have two instead of three retinal photopigments tuned to peak wavelengths, or colors). They lack a photopigment for the detection of red light.<ref>Jacobs GH, Williams GA, Fenwick JA.  Influence of cone pigment co-expression on spectral sensitivity and color vision in the mouse.  Vision Res. 2004; 44(14):1615-22</ref>
 +
 
 +
==History==
 +
 
 +
Mouse-like species are among the oldest mammals. It has been proposed that higher mammals evolved from rodent-like species many million years ago.
 +
 
 +
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 term are in use: ratón for mouse and rata for rat [http://www.iberianature.com/trivia/etymology_mammals.htm].
 +
 
 +
Discoloration in mice was supposedly first noticed in China by 1100 B.C.E., where a white mouse was discovered. However, there is sufficient evidence to believe that white mice were first noticed before that, in the times of the [[Greeks]] and [[Ancient Rome]].
 +
 
 +
The word "mouse" and the word muscle are related. Muscle stems from ''musculus'' meaning small mouse - possibly because of a similarity in shape [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=mouse] [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=muscle]. The word "mouse" is cognate with Sanskrit ''mush'' meaning 'to steal' which is also cognate with ''mys'' in [[Old Greek]] and ''mus'' in [[Latin]] [http://www.worldscibooks.com/lifesci/etextbook/p393/p393_chap1.pdf].
 +
 
 +
==Laboratory mice==
 +
 
 +
Mice are the most commonly utilized animal research model with hundreds of established in bred, out bred, and transgenic strains. In the United States, they are not covered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) (administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)) as an animal. However, the Public Health Service Act (PHS)<ref name=Public_Health_Service_Act>{{cite web | url = http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm | title = Public Health Service Act}}</ref> as administered by the National Institute of Health (NIH) does cover their humane treatment.
 +
 
 +
Mice are common experimental animals in [[biology]] and [[psychology]] primarily because they are mammals, and thus share a high degree of homology with humans, but can be manipulated in ways that would be considered unethical to do with humans and that is why they test them on mice instead. They are a primary mammalian [[model organism]], as are [[rat]]s.
 +
 +
Additional benefits of mice in laboratory research include the fact that mice are small, inexpensive, and several generations can be observed in a relatively short period of time. The mouse genome has been sequenced, and virtually all mouse genes have human homologs.
 +
 
 +
==Mice as feeder animals==
 +
[[Image:Feeder_mice.jpg|150px|thumb|"Pinkie" mice for sale as reptile food.]]
 +
A very common use of mice currently is to feed many species of [[snakes]], [[lizards]], and even [[tarantulas]]. Most US pet stores now carry mice for this purpose. Because they breed quickly, grow quickly, are easy to care for, they can be sold in a wide variety of sizes. This makes them suitable for consumption by animals of many different 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 generally 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.
 +
 
 +
Mice specifically bred for pets and feeders are sometimes called fancy mice.
 +
 
 +
==Mice as pets==
 +
:''Main article: Fancy mouse''
 +
[[Image:100 0726.JPG|thumb|250px|Pet Mice]]
 +
Mice are now one of the leading [[rodent]] pets. Although their main purpose in pet stores is to be sold as [[snake]] food, many people buy mice as companion pets. Some common products used are:
 +
*Cage- Usually a hamster or gerbil cage, but special mouse cages are now available
 +
*Food- Special pelleted and seed-based food is available.
 +
*Bedding- Usually hardwoods, such as aspen. Cedar or pine should not be used because it contains harmful liquids that can damage any rodent's respiratory system. Corn cob bedding should also not be used because it promotes Aspergillis Fungus and can grow mold once it gets wet. It also is quite rough on their feet. Recycled virgin wood pulp is also used.
 +
 
 +
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)
 +
*Mice are significantly less likely to bite than other rodent pets.
 +
*Mice are quite intelligent given their size
 +
 
 +
There are, however, some disadvantages to having pet mice
 +
*Small and quite fragile (not as easy to handle as a dog or a cat)
 +
*Nocturnal
 +
*Frequent eye infections under stress
 +
*Easily subject to disease when without optimal care
 +
*Frequent reproduction
 +
*Short lifespan
 +
 
 +
==Mice in popular culture==
 +
*''Main article'': Mice in fiction
 +
*In ''Of Mice and Men'', the novel by John Steinbeck, the character Lennie has a particular fascination with mice.
 +
*The cartoons ''Danger Mouse'' and ''Mighty Mouse'' also depict mice with high regard.
 +
*The smartest organisms in the universe in ''The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy'' are mice.
 +
*One of the two heroes in a popular cartoon ''Tom and Jerry'' is a mouse named Jerry, who is portrayed as engaging in perpetual, yet sometimes friendly, combat with the other hero, a cat named Tom.
 +
*The main characters in a cartoon called ''Pinky and the Brain''.
 +
*The widely known Mickey Mouse is the spokesman of Disney.
 +
*The famous Geronimo Stilton is the protagonist of the eponymous book series.
 +
*Mice are portrayed as heroes and have human-like characteristics in the book series ''Redwall''.
 +
*All of the Jews in Maus, a graphic novel about the Holocaust, are depicted as mice.
 +
* The Cartoon Speedy Gonzalez is a mouse.
 +
*Edward Delacroix trains a mouse who lives to be well over sixty years old in The Green Mile.
  
 
==Taxonomy of the genus ''Mus''==
 
==Taxonomy of the genus ''Mus''==
Line 95: Line 158:
 
*''Mus baoulei''
 
*''Mus baoulei''
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
−
==Laboratory mice==
 
−
 
−
Mice are the most commonly utilized animal research model with hundreds of established in bred, out bred, and transgenic strains. In the United States, they are not covered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) (administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)) as an animal. However, the Public Health Service Act (PHS) as administered by the National Institute of Health (NIH) does cover their humane treatment.
 
−
 
−
Mice are common experimental animals in [[biology]] and [[psychology]] primarily because they are mammals, and thus share a high degree of homology with humans, but can be manipulated in ways that would be considered unethical to do with humans and that is why they test them on mice instead. They are a primary mammalian [[model organism]], as are [[rat]]s.
 
−
 
−
Additional benefits of mice in laboratory research include the fact that mice are small, inexpensive, and several generations can be observed in a relatively short period of time. The mouse genome has been sequenced, and virtually all mouse genes have human homologs.
 
−
 
−
==History==
 
−
 
−
Mouse-like species are among the oldest mammals. It has been proposed that higher mammals evolved from rodent-like species many million years ago.
 
−
 
−
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 term are in use: ratón for mouse and rata for rat [http://www.iberianature.com/trivia/etymology_mammals.htm].
 
−
 
−
Discoloration in mice was supposedly first noticed in China by 1100 B.C.E., where a white mouse was discovered. However, there is sufficient evidence to believe that white mice were first noticed before that, in the times of the [[Greeks]] and [[Ancient Rome]].
 
−
 
−
The word "mouse" and the word muscle are related. Muscle stems from ''musculus'' meaning small mouse - possibly because of a similarity in shape [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=mouse] [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=muscle]. The word "mouse" is cognate with Sanskrit ''mush'' meaning 'to steal' which is also cognate with ''mys'' in [[Old Greek]] and ''mus'' in [[Latin]] [http://www.worldscibooks.com/lifesci/etextbook/p393/p393_chap1.pdf].
 
−
 
−
==Mice as feeder animals==
 
−
[[Image:Feeder_mice.jpg|150px|thumb|"Pinkie" mice for sale as reptile food.]]
 
−
A very common use of mice currently is to feed many species of [[snakes]], [[lizards]], and even [[tarantulas]]. Most US pet stores now carry mice for this purpose. Because they breed quickly, grow quickly, are easy to care for, they can be sold in a wide variety of sizes. This makes them suitable for consumption by animals of many different 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 generally 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.
 
−
 
−
Mice specifically bred for pets and feeders are sometimes called fancy mice.
 
−
 
−
==Mice as pets==
 
−
:''Main article: Fancy mouse''
 
−
[[Image:100 0726.JPG|thumb|250px|Pet Mice]]
 
−
Mice are now one of the leading [[rodent]] pets. Although their main purpose in pet stores is to be sold as [[snake]] food, many people buy mice as companion pets. Some common products used are:
 
−
*Cage- Usually a hamster or gerbil cage, but special mouse cages are now available
 
−
*Food- Special pelleted and seed-based food is available.
 
−
*Bedding- Usually hardwoods, such as aspen. Cedar or pine should not be used because it contains harmful liquids that can damage any rodent's respiratory system. Corn cob bedding should also not be used because it promotes Aspergillis Fungus and can grow mold once it gets wet. It also is quite rough on their feet. Recycled virgin wood pulp is also used.
 
−
 
−
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)
 
−
*Mice are significantly less likely to bite than other rodent pets.
 
−
*Mice are quite intelligent given their size
 
−
 
−
There are, however, some disadvantages to having pet mice
 
−
*Small and quite fragile (not as easy to handle as a dog or a cat)
 
−
*Nocturnal
 
−
*Frequent eye infections under stress
 
−
*Easily subject to disease when without optimal care
 
−
*Frequent reproduction
 
−
*Short lifespan
 
−
 
−
==Mice in popular culture==
 
−
*''Main article'': Mice in fiction
 
−
*In ''Of Mice and Men'', the novel by John Steinbeck, the character Lennie has a particular fascination with mice.
 
−
*The cartoons ''Danger Mouse'' and ''Mighty Mouse'' also depict mice with high regard.
 
−
*The smartest organisms in the universe in ''The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy'' are mice.
 
−
*One of the two heroes in a popular cartoon ''Tom and Jerry'' is a mouse named Jerry, who is portrayed as engaging in perpetual, yet sometimes friendly, combat with the other hero, a cat named Tom.
 
−
*The main characters in a cartoon called ''Pinky and the Brain''.
 
−
*The widely known Mickey Mouse is the spokesman of Disney.
 
−
*The famous Geronimo Stilton is the protagonist of the eponymous book series.
 
−
*Mice are portrayed as heroes and have human-like characteristics in the book series ''Redwall''.
 
−
*All of the Jews in Maus, a graphic novel about the Holocaust, are depicted as mice.
 
−
* The Cartoon Speedy Gonzalez is a mouse.
 
−
*Edward Delacroix trains a mouse who lives to be well over sixty years old in The Green Mile.
 
−
 
−
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 20:59, 10 January 2007

Mouse
Fossil Range: Late Miocene - Recent
Mus musculus
House mouse, Mus musculus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Superfamily: Muroidea
Family: Muridae
Subfamily:: Murinae
Genus: Mus
Linnaeus, 1758
Feral mouse

There is some disagreement over what range of animals is encompassed by the term mouse (plural mice). In Webster's Third New International Dictionary, a mouse is defined as "any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats with pointed snout, rather small ears, elongated body and slender hairless or sparsely haired tail, including all the small members of the genus Mus and many members of other rodent genera and families having little more in common than their relatively small size." However, the order Rodentia (in the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, and subphylum Vertebrata) contains a wide range of families, many of which contain some animals that may be referred to as mice. The family Muridae itself contains over one thousand different species, including voles, gerbils and rats. There are some definitions (such as the Oxford English Dictionary definition) of mouse that assert that any animal in the family Muridae is a mouse. Within the Muridae family is the subfamily Murinae, and within this subfamily is the genus Mus. Some definitions (such as the Merriam-Webster definition) define a "mouse" as a member of the genus Mus. The remainder of this article will assume a mouse to be any animal within the genus Mus unless otherwise stated.

The best known mouse species is the common house mouse (Mus musculus). It is found in nearly all countries and, as the laboratory mouse, serves as an important 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 (though they are not included in the 'house mouse' category, nor are they included in the genus Mus). These species of mice generally live commensally with humans (that is, they benefit from humans without affecting humans either positively or negatively).

Although they may live up to two years in the lab, the average mouse in the wild lives only about three months, primarily due to heavy predation. Cats, wild dogs, foxes, birds of prey, snakes and even certain kinds of insects have been known to prey heavily upon mice. Nevertheless, due to its incredible adaptability to almost any environment and its general ability to live commensally to humans, it is regarded to be the second most successful mammalian species living on earth today (the first being the rat).

In some ways, mice can be harmful pests, damaging and eating crops and spreading diseases through their parasites and feces. In the Western U.S., breathing dust which has come in contact with mouse feces has been linked to the deadly (though rare) Hantavirus. The original motivation for the domestication of cats is thought to have been for their predation of mice and their relatives, the rats.

Body and behavior

Mice are small rodents, resembling diminutive rats. Usually, they have pointed snouts, small ears, an elongated body, and slender, hairless tails. However, different types of mice show large variations in physical features, and body dimensions especially vary considerably by species. The following are approximate values of physical features of an average mouse: a total body length of 28-130 mm and body mass of 2.5 to >34g[1].

Mice generally live on a herbivore diet, but are actually omnivores, as they will at times eat meat, such as the dead bodies of other mice. They have also been observed to self-cannibalize their tails during starvation. Grasshopper mice are an exception to the rule, being the only fully carnivorous mice. On average, mice eat grains, fruits, and seeds for a regular diet, which is the main reason they are known to damage crops. They are also known to eat their own droppings on rare occasions.

Mice are social animals, preferring to live in groups. Male rivalry can become harmful for the animal, especially when confined to a small space. The natural habitats of the mouse are very diverse. Mice can be found in forests, savannahs, grasslands and rocky habitats [1]. In Africa they tend to particularly like forest edge, derived savannah, and agricultural areas. Mice build nests for protection and warmth, though different species have varying preferences: M. minutoides nests in shallow burrows. M. caroli and M. cervicolor burrow. M. shortridgei and M. pahari nest aboveground. Most species will construct nests of grass, fibers, and shredded material [1]. Mice do not hibernate.

The mouse has bichromatic vision (meaning they have two instead of three retinal photopigments tuned to peak wavelengths, or colors). They lack a photopigment for the detection of red light.[2]

History

Mouse-like species are among the oldest mammals. It has been proposed that higher mammals evolved from rodent-like species many million years ago.

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 term are in use: ratón for mouse and rata for rat [1].

Discoloration in mice was supposedly first noticed in China by 1100 B.C.E., where a white mouse was discovered. However, there is sufficient evidence to believe that white mice were first noticed before that, in the times of the Greeks and Ancient Rome.

The word "mouse" and the word muscle are related. Muscle stems from musculus meaning small mouse - possibly because of a similarity in shape [2] [3]. The word "mouse" is cognate with Sanskrit mush meaning 'to steal' which is also cognate with mys in Old Greek and mus in Latin [4].

Laboratory mice

Mice are the most commonly utilized animal research model with hundreds of established in bred, out bred, and transgenic strains. In the United States, they are not covered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) (administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)) as an animal. However, the Public Health Service Act (PHS)[3] as administered by the National Institute of Health (NIH) does cover their humane treatment.

Mice are common experimental animals in biology and psychology primarily because they are mammals, and thus share a high degree of homology with humans, but can be manipulated in ways that would be considered unethical to do with humans and that is why they test them on mice instead. They are a primary mammalian model organism, as are rats.

Additional benefits of mice in laboratory research include the fact that mice are small, inexpensive, and several generations can be observed in a relatively short period of time. The mouse genome has been sequenced, and virtually all mouse genes have human homologs.

Mice as feeder animals

"Pinkie" mice for sale as reptile food.

A very common use of mice currently is to feed many species of snakes, lizards, and even tarantulas. Most US pet stores now carry mice for this purpose. Because they breed quickly, grow quickly, are easy to care for, they can be sold in a wide variety of sizes. This makes them suitable for consumption by animals of many different 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 generally 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 rats.

Mice specifically bred for pets and feeders are sometimes called fancy mice.

Mice as pets

Main article: Fancy mouse
Pet Mice

Mice are now one of the leading rodent pets. Although their main purpose in pet stores is to be sold as snake food, many people buy mice as companion pets. Some common products used are:

  • Cage- Usually a hamster or gerbil cage, but special mouse cages are now available
  • Food- Special pelleted and seed-based food is available.
  • Bedding- Usually hardwoods, such as aspen. Cedar or pine should not be used because it contains harmful liquids that can damage any rodent's respiratory system. Corn cob bedding should also not be used because it promotes Aspergillis Fungus and can grow mold once it gets wet. It also is quite rough on their feet. Recycled virgin wood pulp is also used.

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)
  • Mice are significantly less likely to bite than other rodent pets.
  • Mice are quite intelligent given their size

There are, however, some disadvantages to having pet mice

  • Small and quite fragile (not as easy to handle as a dog or a cat)
  • Nocturnal
  • Frequent eye infections under stress
  • Easily subject to disease when without optimal care
  • Frequent reproduction
  • Short lifespan

Mice in popular culture

  • Main article: Mice in fiction
  • In Of Mice and Men, the novel by John Steinbeck, the character Lennie has a particular fascination with mice.
  • The cartoons Danger Mouse and Mighty Mouse also depict mice with high regard.
  • The smartest organisms in the universe in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy are mice.
  • One of the two heroes in a popular cartoon Tom and Jerry is a mouse named Jerry, who is portrayed as engaging in perpetual, yet sometimes friendly, combat with the other hero, a cat named Tom.
  • The main characters in a cartoon called Pinky and the Brain.
  • The widely known Mickey Mouse is the spokesman of Disney.
  • The famous Geronimo Stilton is the protagonist of the eponymous book series.
  • Mice are portrayed as heroes and have human-like characteristics in the book series Redwall.
  • All of the Jews in Maus, a graphic novel about the Holocaust, are depicted as mice.
  • The Cartoon Speedy Gonzalez is a mouse.
  • Edward Delacroix trains a mouse who lives to be well over sixty years old in The Green Mile.

Taxonomy of the genus Mus

The term "mouse" in common usage is often considered to be equivalent to the taxonomic term Mus, while house mouse is equivalent to Mus musculus. In common language the term "mouse" often refers incorrectly to Mus musculus. There are 38 species of mice in the genus Mus, as shown in the following table.

Genus Mus
Subgenus Pyromys Subgenus Coelomys Subgenus Mus Subgenus Nannomys
  • Mus platythrix
  • Mus saxicola
  • Mus philipsi
  • Mus shortridgei
  • Mus fernandoni
  • Mus mayori
  • Mus pahari
  • Mus crociduroides
  • Mus vulcani
  • Mus famulus
  • Mus caroli
  • Mus cervicolor
  • Mus cookii
  • Mus cypriacus
  • Mus booduga
  • Mus terricolor
  • Mus musculus
  • Mus spretus
  • Mus macedonicus
  • Mus spicelegus
  • Mus fragilicauda
  • Mus callewaerti
  • Mus setulosus
  • Mus triton
  • Mus bufo
  • Mus tenellus
  • Mus haussa
  • Mus mattheyi
  • Mus indutus
  • Mus setzeri
  • Mus musculoides
  • Mus minutoides
  • Mus orangiae
  • Mus mahomet
  • Mus sorella
  • Mus kasaicus
  • Mus neavei
  • Mus oubanguii
  • Mus goundae
  • Mus baoulei

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nowak, Ronald M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1936 pp. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
  2. ↑ Jacobs GH, Williams GA, Fenwick JA. Influence of cone pigment co-expression on spectral sensitivity and color vision in the mouse. Vision Res. 2004; 44(14):1615-22
  3. ↑ Public Health Service Act.

External links

Mice as pets

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