House mice are most commonly active at night, nocturnal. They are quite happy to make their rounds looking for food while the majority of their predators are asleep; including humans.

On the private side, house mice are rather promiscuous. Mating with more than one partner, their polygamous mating system is one factor of their reproductive success. Not only do these tiny mammals share partners, they have the ability to mate several times per year. The average female will give birth to five (5) to ten (10) litters annually!

Pregnancy or gestation in mice lasts only 19 to 21 days resulting in the birth of five (5) to six (6) babies. Babies are born hairless and blind, yet are fully furred, bright eyed, ready to leave mom by three (3) weeks of age and ready to start a family of their own at five (5) to seven (7) weeks old!

Despite the fact the average lifespan of house mice is only about two (2) years; it is easy to see how a mouse family can increase very, very quickly.

Field mice have similar reproductive capabilities; however, the mice in the northern portions of North America do not reproduce year round and rarely have more than four (4) litters per year. The average life span of the field mouse is one (1) year.

As with many nocturnal animals house mice have very poor vision and are actually considered color blind. They use their whiskers to help sense distances and obstacles and rely more on their other senses for survival.

Mice communicate both vocally and with their v, and just recently, scientists have determined that male mice make an ultrasonic song in response to female sex pheromones and those sounds may be used by female in choosing a mate.

They use certain pheromones to communicate socially as well. Some are used to distinguish families from others and within the family to determine social hierarchy.