House mice have a characteristic musky odor that identifies their presence. Mice are active mostly at night, but can be seen occasionally during daylight hours. House Mouse Facts House mouse, mus musculus House mice are small rodents with relatively large ears and small black eyes. Although house mice usually feed on cereal grains, they will eat almost anything. They are sporadic feeders, nibbling bits of food here and there.
Mice have keen senses of hearing, smell, taste and touch.
They are excellent climbers and can run up any rough vertical surface. They will run horizontally along wire cables or ropes and can jump up 12 inches from the floor onto a flat surface. In a single year, a female may have five to 10 litters of usually five or six young each. Young are born 19 to 21 days after mating, and they reach reproductive maturity in six to 10 weeks. The life span of a mouse is usually nine to 12 months.