Field Mouse Vs House Mouse: Facts, Similarities and Differences

You just saw a mouse, you could not tell whether the mouse is a field mouse or a house mouse. Well, in this article, field mouse vs house mouse is our focal point as we look into the facts, similarities, and differences.

Field mouse and house mouse really do look alike but they both have characteristics that differentiate them from each other.

They also have some similarities that could make it difficult for you to tell them apart. At the end of this article, you will be able to tell the difference between a house mouse and a field mouse, their similarities, and all you need to know about them.

House Mouse Vs Field Mouse: Facts

Field Mouse:

1. Field mouse often times have tawny-brown fur and their underbellies and feet are usually white.
2. Their ears and eyes are large and they have pointed snouts.
3. They are native to Europe and North-Western Africa.
4. They belong to the Mammalia class of animals.
5. Their phylum is Chordata.
6. They belong to the Muridae family.
7. Their species is A. sylvaticus species.
8. A field mouse’s upper teeth are usually smooth.
9. Field mouse prefer to live in the forests and in the wild away from the human population.
10. Field mouse are more active at night.
11. Field mouse are also called wood mice.
12. Field mouse feed on seeds, their favorite types being; oak, beech, ash, line, and sycamore seeds.
13. Field mouse live in nests, they build from plants.
14. If you catch a field mouse by its tail, it can shed its tail to get away, and the tail will mostly not grow back.
15. During winter, they experience a decrease in their physiological activities.
16. Field mice are known carriers of the deadly virus “Hantavirus”.

Read also: Field Mice vs House Mice | Differences and Similarities

House Mouse:

1. House mouse have just one color which is usually light brown or all black.
2. House mouse have small eyes and large ears
3. They belong to the Mammalia class of animals
4. They belong to the Rodentia order
5. Their species is M.musculus species.
6. They prefer to live near the human population; in parks and your homes.
7. They feed basically on the leftover food and any food they can find around humans.
8. They can be found in laboratories.
9. Their upper front teeth have a sharp notch.
10. Female mice have nipples.
11. They have small hairs on their tails.
12. They are very active at night and won’t let you sleep if they invade because they will be up and about at night disturbing when you want to sleep.
13. House mice do not vomit.
14. They have a disgusting habit of eating their own droppings.
15. They find it hard to survive in the wild like the field mice.

Read also: What does Mouse Poop Look Like? Mouse Droppings

House Mouse Vs Field Mouse: Differences

1. Body Color: A Field mouse usually has two colors, a brown body with a light underbelly and light feet but a house mouse has just one color, all brown or all dark.
2. Ears: The ears of a field mouse are significantly larger than that of a house mouse, the house mouse has small eyes and large ears.
3. Size: A field mouse can grow up to 7 inches but a house mouse will only get to an average of 5 Inches.
4. Tail: You can tell a field mouse from a house mouse by the tail, the tail of the field mouse does not have any hair and the color is usually lighter than that of the rest of its body while the house mouse has a long tail that has the same color with its body. The field’s mouse tail is hairless but the house mouse tail is covered with hairs.
5. Habitat: Another major difference between the house mouse and the field mouse is that the house mouse-like to live close to the human population; in their houses, yards, or parks while the field mouse likes to live in the wild; forests, and meadows. Field mouse build nests out of plants for themselves in the wild but house mouse do not have nests, they just create a place in your home and live with you.
6. Eating Habits: House mouse feed on human food, good and leftovers ones that they can find around the house, but the field mouse eats seeds and sometimes might feed on little insects like bats, found in the wild.
7. Behavior: The field mouse is actually very shy of the human population and prefers not to be seen by humans, the field mouse keeps to itself and hunts in the woods close to its home but the house mouse is not scared of humans, they don’t mind being seen, and will always try to steal your food even in your presence. The house mice are excellent jumpers, this is a survival instinct for them because they live close to humans, who will always try to terminate them, they had to learn how to jump to avoid being killed by humans, the field mouse is more of climbers, the learned that survival instinct from having to escape from predators in the wild. Because of the house mouse’s inability to climb walls and trees, It is advised to keep your foodstuffs up because they will not be able to climb up, to reach and destroy your food. The house mouse is always very curious and will like to explore new places but the field mouse is not curious, prefer being in its habitat, and won’t stray from there.
8. Life Cycle: The lifespan of a field mouse is shorter than that of a house mouse, mostly at 1 and a half years, because they are more likely to become prey for predators but the house mouse will live for about 2 to 3 years. Both mice will live longer in a good living conditions. The longest lifespan recorded for a mouse is 5 and a half years.
9. Droppings and Urine: The Droppings of a field mouse have pointed ends while the droppings of a house mouse look like a grain of rice.

Read also: Rats vs Mice: How to Control Infestation

Difference Summary

House Mouse Vs Field Mouse: Similarities

The field mouse and the house are very different and have very little in common. Some of the things they have in common are;

1. Both are not extinct animals.
2. Both are nocturnal.
3. Both will live Longer under better living conditions.
4. Both do not vomit.
5. Both can live in the wild and in the home.
6. Both carry viruses that can result in health problems.
7. Both can eat and destroy properties and food items when they enter your home.

House Mouse Vs Field Mouse: Are They Harmful or Deadly?

The field mouse and the house mouse are both dangerous and can cause harm when they enter your house.  The field mouse is the worst if it enters your house, its droppings and urine carry a virus known as Hantavirus.

Hantavirus affects the respiratory system, this virus gets into the body when you inhale its droppings and urine. The house mouse carries diseases like lymphocytic choriomeningitis and leptospirosis, which are very harmful to your health.

Conclusion

Reading to this point, we believe you are now aware of the facts, similarities, and differences between the field mouse vs house mouse. However, whether it is a field mouse or a house mouse that has invaded your home, you need to know that both are very dangerous and should be exterminated from your home immediately. Contact us at Pestclue for professional services.

About The Author

Will David

Hi, I am Will David aka Mr. Pest, research expert and author at Pestclue. With 5+ years of experience surfing pest, pest control and pet, I will assist and provide all solutions related to pests, pest control and pet care, my aim is to ensure your environment is pest-free and your pets are healthy.

See author's posts