What is the average lifespan of a wild mouse

A major model of biomedical research, mice are amongst the fastest ageing mammals exhibiting a variety of physiological, functional and pathological changes with age. The record longevity for normal mice is 4 years, belonging to one male specimen from a wild-derived strain kept in the lab [ ].

Mutant and caloric restricted mice, however, can live over 4 years [ ], though these are not deemed suitable for species comparisons; amongst these, record longevity belongs to a mutant dwarf mouse that lived days Andrzej Bartke, pers. Not only is a well-fed pet a lazy mouser, but mice actually love to eat pet food and may be more attracted to homes where a food supply is readily available.

If you think you have one or more than one of these unwanted guests in your home, get caught up on our tried and true methods of getting rid of mice including botanical solutions that help prevent the problem in the first place. Learn More. Skip to content. How Long Do Mice Live? By: Rita Stadler A house mouse that you will typically see around your home can live anywhere from six months to around two years.

Juvenile Mice By two weeks of age, their eyes and ears have opened and they have grown hair. When do They Leave the Nest? Adult Mice A mouse reaches reproductive maturity by about six weeks of age. While many factors can affect their longevity, mice usually live for about 12 to 18 months. The presence of food, shelter, and predators determines how long mice live.

Rodents infesting a home typically survive longer than mice in their natural environment. House mice have adapted to thrive around humans. Inside a house that provides shelter and plenty of crumbs or stored goods, the average lifespan of a mouse is about two years.

As long as the pests have access to food and water, the only real threats to their survival are disease and humans or pets. In the great outdoors, most house mice fall victim to predators. Rats, snakes, and owls are avid mouse hunters.

Lack of food or water, illness, and injury also limit colonies in the wild. In this setting, the average lifespan of a mouse is often less than a year. Mice can quickly get out of control in a safe, warm home. Paying attention to their health is important, as is going to the vet as soon as you notice anything out of the ordinary, such as lack of activity, loss of appetite or weight loss.

Common illnesses that affect mice include respiratory conditions, cancer, skin infections and malnutrition. Stress can play a big part in how long a captive mouse lives. For example, a cage that has no hiding places will leave the mouse feeling exposed and can affect his sleeping patterns and increase his stress levels. The same is true if you have predators at home, such as cats or small hunting dogs -- especially if they spend lots of time watching the mouse or around the cage.

Because mice are social animals, isolation can also play a part in their health, so consider getting two to share the cage -- just make sure they're of the same sex and preferably same litter, to avoid fights and reproduction. Tammy Dray has been writing since