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House Mouse

Mus musculus

Mammal · family Muridae · order Rodentia

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Longest recorded life
4 years[3]

The House Mouse (Mus musculus) is a small mammal in the rodent family Muridae[4]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide, and it is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[2][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the House Mouse a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[5]. USFWS ECOS data show it is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe gives it a state rank of SNA in every state where it is tracked, and the state table on this page shows each one[6].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[5] Least concern

Where House Mouse lives

NatureServe lists the House Mouse as introduced, meaning not native, in many states and the District of Columbia[7][6]. That list includes states such as California, Texas, New York, Florida and Washington[7]. The facts here do not name any US state where it is native. Its GBIF records are most plentiful in California, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia and Tennessee, but those counts follow where people look and report, not how many mice live there[8]. The National Park Service records it in 116 park units[9].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: introduced, state rank SNAMEWisconsin: introduced, state rank SNAWIVermont: introduced, state rank SNAVTNew Hampshire: introduced, state rank SNANHWashington: introduced, state rank SNAWAIdaho: introduced, state rank SNAIDMontana: introduced, state rank SNAMTNorth Dakota: introduced, state rank SNANDMinnesota: introduced, state rank SNAMNIllinois: introduced, state rank SNAILMichigan: introduced, state rank SNAMINew York: introduced, state rank SNANYMassachusetts: introduced, state rank SNAMAOregon: introduced, state rank SNAORNevada: introduced, state rank SNANVWyoming: introduced, state rank SNAWYSouth Dakota: introduced, state rank SNASDIowa: introduced, state rank SNAIAIndiana: introduced, state rank SNAINOhio: introduced, state rank SNAOHPennsylvania: introduced, state rank SNAPANew Jersey: introduced, state rank SNANJConnecticut: introduced, state rank SNACTRhode Island: introduced, state rank SNARICalifornia: introduced, state rank SNACAUtah: introduced, state rank SNAUTColorado: introduced, state rank SNACONebraska: introduced, state rank SNANEMissouri: introduced, state rank SNAMOKentucky: introduced, state rank SNAKYWest Virginia: introduced, state rank SNAWVVirginia: introduced, state rank SNAVAMaryland: introduced, state rank SNAMDDelaware: introduced, state rank SNADEArizona: introduced, state rank SNAAZNew Mexico: introduced, state rank SNANMKansas: introduced, state rank SNAKSArkansas: introduced, state rank SNAARTennessee: introduced, state rank SNATNNorth Carolina: introduced, state rank SNANCSouth Carolina: introduced, state rank SNASCDistrict of Columbia: introduced, state rank SNADCOklahoma: introduced, state rank SNAOKLouisiana: introduced, state rank SNALAMississippi: introduced, state rank SNAMSAlabama: introduced, state rank SNAALGeorgia: introduced, state rank SNAGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: introduced, state rank SNATXFlorida: introduced, state rank SNAFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[6].
Show state ranks (49 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSNANot Applicable
ArizonaSNANot Applicable
ArkansasSNANot Applicable
CaliforniaSNANot Applicable
ColoradoSNANot Applicable
ConnecticutSNANot Applicable
DelawareSNANot Applicable
District of ColumbiaSNANot Applicable
FloridaSNANot Applicable
GeorgiaSNANot Applicable
IdahoSNANot Applicable
IllinoisSNANot Applicable
IndianaSNANot Applicable
IowaSNANot Applicable
KansasSNANot Applicable
KentuckySNANot Applicable
LouisianaSNANot Applicable
MaineSNANot Applicable
MarylandSNANot Applicable
MassachusettsSNANot Applicable
MichiganSNANot Applicable
MinnesotaSNANot Applicable
MississippiSNANot Applicable
MissouriSNANot Applicable
MontanaSNANot Applicable
NebraskaSNANot Applicable
NevadaSNANot Applicable
New HampshireSNANot Applicable
New JerseySNANot Applicable
New MexicoSNANot Applicable
New YorkSNANot Applicable
North CarolinaSNANot Applicable
North DakotaSNANot Applicable
OhioSNANot Applicable
OklahomaSNANot Applicable
OregonSNANot Applicable
PennsylvaniaSNANot Applicable
Rhode IslandSNANot Applicable
South CarolinaSNANot Applicable
South DakotaSNANot Applicable
TennesseeSNANot Applicable
TexasSNANot Applicable
UtahSNANot Applicable
VermontSNANot Applicable
VirginiaSNANot Applicable
WashingtonSNANot Applicable
West VirginiaSNANot Applicable
WisconsinSNANot Applicable
WyomingSNANot Applicable

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for the House Mouse, including hardwood forest, woodland, savanna, grassland, desert, cropland, suburbs and cities[10]. It lives in buildings and other structures, and also in natural places such as fields and cropland[11]. In some areas, mice move indoors when cold weather arrives in late fall[11]. Young are born in a nest that can be built by several mice together in a well hidden spot[11].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[10]

Size, diet and lifespan

The House Mouse eats both plants and animal foods[12]. NatureServe describes it as an eater of invertebrates, plants, seeds and fruit[13]. One estimate puts its diet at 60% other plant material, 20% seeds and 20% invertebrates[14]. A typical adult is about 20 cm (8 in) long[15]. It weighs about 23 g[16]. Gestation lasts 19 to 21 days, and young are weaned in about 18 days[17]. Litters hold 3 to 12 young, typically 4 to 5, and a female can have many litters in a year[17]. The longest recorded lifespan is 4 years, in captivity[3].

Trait Value
Typical length[15] 20 cm (8 in)
Typical adult weight[16] 23 g (0.8 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[3] 4 years (captivity)
Litter or clutch size[18] 7
Gestation or incubation[19] 19 days
Female maturity[20] 42 days (about 0.1 years)
Food habits[13] Invertivore, Herbivore, Granivore, Frugivore
Active[21] nocturnal
Migration[22] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[14]

  • 60% other plant material
  • 20% seeds
  • 20% invertebrates

When to look for it

The House Mouse is mostly nocturnal, which means active at night, though it can also be active by day when numbers are high[23][21]. NatureServe lists it as a non-migrant, although populations can differ[22]. Indoors with mild conditions it breeds all year, while in natural habitats it breeds by season[17]. GBIF observation records are highest in August, October and November, which reflects when people look and report rather than how many mice there are[24].

January: 1,780 recordsJanFebruary: 1,661 recordsFebMarch: 1,982 recordsMarApril: 1,850 recordsAprMay: 1,800 recordsMayJune: 2,198 recordsJunJuly: 2,308 recordsJulAugust: 4,173 recordsAugSeptember: 2,400 recordsSepOctober: 2,990 recordsOctNovember: 2,919 recordsNovDecember: 2,097 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[24].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January1,780
February1,661
March1,982
April1,850
May1,800
June2,198
July2,308
August4,173
September2,400
October2,990
November2,919
December2,097

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record House Mouse as present in 116 park units[9]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 92 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: California, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee[8]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the house mouse endangered?
No. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) and the IUCN category is Least concern[2][5]. It is also not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[1].
Is the house mouse native to the US?
NatureServe lists it as introduced, not native, in many states and the District of Columbia[7][6].
What does a house mouse eat?
It eats a mix of plant and animal foods[12]. One estimate is 60% other plant material, 20% seeds and 20% invertebrates[14].
How big is a house mouse?
A typical adult is about 20 cm (8 in) long[15]. It weighs about 23 g[16].
How long does a house mouse live?
The longest recorded lifespan is 4 years in captivity[3]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan.

Facts and sources

  1. House Mouse is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for House Mouse: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 4 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  4. House Mouse (Mus musculus) is a mammal in the family Muridae, order Rodentia. NatureServe Explorer
  5. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe state ranks for House Mouse (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  7. NatureServe lists House Mouse as introduced (not native) in: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts,... NatureServe Explorer
  8. US states with the most GBIF observation records of House Mouse: California, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  9. NPSpecies park lists recording House Mouse as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  10. Habitat types NatureServe records for House Mouse: Forest - hardwood, Woodland - hardwood, Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Desert, Cropland/hedgerow, Suburban/orchard, Urban/edificarian. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe notes on habitat for House Mouse. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on food for House Mouse. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Herbivore, Granivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 60% other plant material, 20% seeds, 20% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  15. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 20 cm (8 in). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 23 g (0.8 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on reproduction for House Mouse. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 7. AnAge
  19. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 19 days. AnAge
  20. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 42 days (about 0.1 years). AnAge
  21. Activity time in EltonTraits 1.0: nocturnal. EltonTraits 1.0
  22. NatureServe migration category for House Mouse: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  23. NatureServe notes on phenology for House Mouse. NatureServe Explorer
  24. GBIF observation records of House Mouse in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.