- A mouse is a pretty identifiable creature, mainly because they are so common not only in real life but also in various forms of entertainment. They are small creatures that run on four legs and have a long tail. They have a body covered in short hair that is colored in ranges of white, black, gray, and brown. Most mice have short, rounded ears and a long snout with a tiny nose. At the end of the snout extend long whiskers. The front teeth of a mouse are relatively long and stick out of the mouse's mouth.
- Geographically, Mice have a very wide range. However, nearly all species are originally from somewhere in Africa or Eurasia. Their habitat there includes the lowland plains and the more mountainous region. Certain mice, in the subgenus Pyromys, are found around India and Southeast Asia. The geography is different here and includes forests and grassy stretches of land. Mice have spread out across the world however, following man's travels by stowing away on ships and the like, and have now become common in cities and towns as much as in the wild.
- A mouse's genetic code has very similar characteristics to that of a human, and this goes for all species of mice. For this reason, they are the perfect live animal to be used in laboratory settings. They are also small and easy to come by, allowing researchers to perform tests that they could not ethically perform on a human in order to find out the effect it may have on humans. Mice are also used as food in certain countries in Africa and Southeast Asia.
- Many people think mice are great pets because they can be purchased for a very small amount of money and are small enough to not take up very much room. However, those who are thinking of having a mouse as a pet need to know that because of their size they are very fragile and have a short life span. This may not make them a great pet for children. They are also nocturnal creatures, so they will be active when owners are sleeping. The decision to purchase a mouse as a pet should be thought over carefully for these reasons.
- If you encounter a mouse in the wild, do not try to pick it up or play with it. They are considered pests by many because of the damage they can cause to humans and to things they own. Mice are carriers of many diseases and parasites, so coming into contact with one can expose a person to infection. Mice that are found in the home or in cities can cause damage to crops and to certain support structures if they should eat or gnaw on plants and wood.
