# Murines (*Murinae*) Murines, also known as true mice, are small and quick animals that love to explore. They have long tails and big ears, making them great at hearing and balancing while they run. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Field Mice, True Mice ![Murines](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/House_mouse.jpg&width=800) Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:House_mouse.jpg) ## Appearance The Murines has a compact, slender body covered in soft fur, typically shades of brown, grey, or black, with a paler belly. They feature prominent whiskers, large eyes, and often large, rounded ears. Their long, scaly or sparsely haired tail can be as long as or longer than their body. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Muridae - **Genus:** Anonymomys ## Interesting facts - A group of rats has a unique name: it's called a "mischief"! - Some Murines have tails longer than their entire body, helping them balance. - Their front teeth never stop growing, so they must constantly gnaw to keep them short. - They use high-pitched sounds, too high for humans to hear, to communicate with each other. ## Special abilities - **Super Scents:** Murines can detect food and danger with an incredible sense of smell because of their highly developed olfactory system. - **Chew Champions:** Murines can gnaw through tough materials like plastic and wood that helps them create pathways and access hidden food sources. - **Rapid Reproducers:** Murines have very short gestation periods and large litters, which helps them quickly increase their population in favorable conditions. - **Adaptation Masters:** Murines can thrive in almost any environment, from deserts to cities, because of their flexible diet and quick learning abilities. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 5-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-3 years - **Speed:** 12 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-12 - **Gestation:** 20-25 days ## Diet & Feeding Murines are omnivores, eating a wide variety of plants, seeds, fruits, and small invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** seeds, grains, fruits, insects, fungi, discarded human food - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — A primary predator of mice and rats. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Hunts Murines as a natural prey. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Dog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-dog) (*Canis familiaris*) — Many breeds hunt and kill Murines. - **Eats:** [Wheat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wheat) (*Triticum aestivum*) — A staple food source for many Murine species. - **Depends on:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Murines often rely on human food waste for survival. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a mouse, it's best to watch it from a distance and not try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Murines? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Murines? 5-30 cm ### How much does Murines weigh? 0.005-0.5 kg ### How long does Murines live? 1-3 years ### How fast can Murines move? 12 km/h ### What does Murines eat? Murines are omnivores, eating a wide variety of plants, seeds, fruits, and small invertebrates. ### Where is Murines usually found? Grasslands ### How does Murines hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Murines: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/murines)