The Difference Between Domestic and Wild Mice: Mice may be adorable in the wild or in cartoons, but when they infest your home, they are anything but cute. The wild mouse and the domestic mouse, or more specifically, the field and the house mouse, are the two mouse species that Americans are most familiar with. Although they seem quite similar and exhibit similar habits, these creatures come from two different genera. In addition, they differ in certain ways that make them distinct, and these characteristics dictate how experts respond to a mouse invasion in your house.
Even though you would think all mice have the same appearance, small differences between species can identify them. How can you know whether you have a home mouse or a wild mouse?
The Difference Between Domestic and Wild Mice
Preferred Environments
Domestic mice are more accepting of people than their distant relatives, the wild mice. If you have an infestation, it is highly probable to be domestic. Wild mice dislike people and avoid them at all costs. Wild mice are frequently forced to seek refuge in a warm human residence during the winter when it is chilly outside, and there is a food shortage.
Diet
Mice are ideal for consuming grains, seeds, corn, and other plants due to their small mouths and sharp incisors. In addition, wild mice get accustomed to living in the woods and enjoy eating seeds, grass, and, occasionally, tree bark.
Domestic mice have evolved to suit our tastes. These animals have lived alongside humans for so long that they have grown accustomed to eating human food. They will certainly eat anything in your cupboard, though they prefer to eat grains and seeds. These rodents find bread, cereal, and anything sweet to be alluring.
Features
The appearance of a mouse’s snout, ears, and eyes distinguish them from one another. The nose of a domestic mouse is shorter and rounder than that of a wild mouse, which is long and pointed. Additionally, compared to wild mice, domestic mice have smaller, rounder ears and smaller, beadier eyes. A wild mouse has a naked tail shorter than its body, while that of a domestic mouse is covered with hair and is the same length as its body.
Size
This distinction isn’t often obvious until you are dealing with a fully mature adult. While domestic mice are full-sized at 5 inches, wild mice can grow to reach up to 7 inches long. It could be challenging to determine its exact length if you see one darting across your floor.
Habitat
Domestic and wild mice are both cozy creatures. They will build a warm, comfortable nest for themselves and their young ones when they locate a hidden, secure area. Hollow logs, bushes, and new ground are desirable properties for wild mice.
Domestic mice, however, prefer nesting indoors and usually build their nest in enclosed spaces such as drawers filled with papers and voids in the wall and under floor cabinets.
One other key difference in how they nest is how they store food. Wild mice usually store food for winter while Domestic mice don’t since they have a ready supply in the house.
Diseases
These two distinct rodent species have diseases they can pass on to people. For example, wild mice transmit the Hantavirus, a virus that can cause a potentially fatal sickness in humans if contracted.
Leptospirosis, rickettsialpox, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis are all transmitted by domestic mice. The first two infections are bacterial, while the other is viral. Rickettsialpox happens to be a mild condition, while Leptospirosis can be fatal.
Reach Out to Shumaker Animal Control to Get Rid of Your Mice Infestation
If mice have taken residence in your house, you require the assistance of experts in animal removal. Reach out to Shumaker Animal Control today. We understand the difference between domestic and wild mice to determine a safe, effective, and humane method for evicting these unwanted house guests. Call us at (443) 854-8072 or contact us via our website.
