A mouse is a mammal that belongs to one of numerous species
of small rodents in the genus Mus and various related
genera of the family Muridæ (Old World Mice). The
best known mouse species is the common house mouse (Mus
musculus). It is found in nearly all countries and, as
the laboratory mouse, serves as an important model organism
in biology; it is also a popular pet. (Non-biologists
often use the term "mouse" synonymously with
"Mus musculus"). The American white-footed mouse
(Peromyscus leucopus) and the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)
also sometimes live in houses. These species of mice live
commensally with humans. Although they may live up to
two years in the lab, the average mouse in the wild lives
only 3 months, primarily due to heavy predation.
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