TRUMAN RODENTS

small, slender body weighing from 1/2 to 1 oz. as an adult

House mouse. Norway. Roof

the tail is semi-naked — and is as long as the head and body together.

The fur is usually dark gray on the back and light gray on the belly, but many color variations are possible.

can be identified by the size of the head and the hind feet.

A female produces between 4 and 7 pups per litter following a gestation period of about 19 days.

A female will typically produce about eight litters in her lifetime, although if conditions are good, she is capable of giving birth to a litter every 24 to 28 days.

sexually mature within five to eight weeks

The normal life span is typically less than one year, but dominant individuals may live as long as two years.

Under average conditions, territories range from 10 to 30 ft. from the nest

consumes about 1/10 oz. of food daily

considered omnivores, but cereal grains and various seeds are preferred

When free water is available, will drink between 1 to 3 oz. per day

But when water is scarce or in times of drought, can survive without free water in most urban environments because they can satisfy their water needs by extracting water from their food.

has specialized body functions that enable it to conserve water and /or produce its own water.

better adapted for producing young and surviving in colder climates

has a stocky body, weighing from about 12 to 16 oz

body fur is coarse, and ranges from reddish to grayish brown with buff-white under parts, but many color variations exist,

Indoors, may breed all year long,

although breeding peaks are normally in the spring and fall of the year.

caused by the bacterium Streptobacillis moniliformis, which can live in the saliva of rats and mice.

The (Peromyscus maniculatus) has been identified as an important reservoir associated with HPS,

associated with hantavirus strains that cause hemorrhagic fever and renal failures.

In outdoor colonies, breeding decreases significantly during the hot summers and cold winters.

After mating and a gestation period of about 22 days

gives birth to a litter of 8 to 12 pups.

Their eyes open in about nine to 14 days, and they are weaned 10 to 15 days later. By this time, the pups begin to take short exploratory trips out of the nest, learning by imitating their mother as to their surroundings, pathways to food, hiding spots, and burrow entrances.

The pups reach sexual maturity at the age of 12 weeks, although in good conditions, it may be as early as eight weeks.

Females may come into heat every four or five days, and they may mate within a day or two after a litter is born

four to seven litters per year, and may successfully wean 20 or more pups annually

may live for three or more years, but most in the wild live for only five to 12 months.

consume about 1 to 2.5 oz. of food daily

cannot survive for very long without free water, requiring 1/2 to 1 fl. oz. of water daily when feeding on dry foods, but needing less if the food source is moist.

The territories under average
conditions range about 50 to 150 ft.

When necessary, will travel 300 ft. or more daily to
obtain their food and water.

When necessary, will travel 300 ft. or more daily to
obtain their food and water.