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Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758
House Mouse
Family: Muridae
Introduction to the Mammals of BC

Photograph

© Public Domain     (Photo ID #16365)

Map


Distribution of Mus musculus in British Columbia.
Source: Map courtesy of David Nagorsen

Introduction


Description:

The House Mouse is an introduced species in BC that ranges in colour from white to black but in the wild is most often grey on top and bottom (Nagorsen 2005). It has a long, naked scaly tail, large ears and coarse fur (Nagorsen 2005).

Distribution:

The House Mouse is an introduced rodent species in British Columbia that originates in Europe and likely arrived here with the first European settlers (Clifford and Guiguet 1958). It is mainly associated with human habitation and has been domesticated as a pet and for laboratory use (Wikipedia 2012). It is now found across British Columbia, including north to the Peace River area, but is found on only three islands (Vancouver, Pender and Moresby) (Nagorsen 2005). The earliest known records are from Kamloops in 1889 (Nagorsen 2005).

Biology:

This species nests in buildings or in underground burrows, and lives in small family groups (Nagorsen 2005). Nagorsen (2005) reports that on Pender Island it was trapped in hay fields, where it co-existed with Townsend's Vole. These sites were all close to barns, however.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
ExoticSNAExoticNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

Species References

Carl, G. Clifford and C. J. Guiguet. 1958. {i{Alien Animals in British Columbia. British Columbia. Provincial Museum, Department of Education, Handbook No. 14. Victoria, BC.

Nagorsen, David W. 2005. Rodents and Lagomorphs of British Columbia. Royal BC Museum Handbook. Royal BC Museum, Victoria.

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