House Mouse

Mus musculus is an introduced rodent established throughout mainland New Zealand. It is smaller than all three established rat species and has proportionally large ears. It is usually grey-brown with a pointed muzzle and a thin, nearly bare tail. Adults typically weigh only a few tens of grams.

Mice occupy buildings and most terrestrial habitats on the main islands and some offshore islands. They are removed from intensively managed sanctuaries where feasible. They eat seeds, insects and many other foods. Mostly nocturnal, they breed rapidly when food is plentiful.

New Zealand treats the house mouse as Introduced. They occur around Auckland and Christchurch, but there is no responsible wildlife-viewing site for them.