Tracking plans to genetically modify wild species
The house mouse is the most widely dispersed mammal other than humans. It is present in tropical, temperate, semi-desert, desert, and sub-antarctic regions throughout the world. It is mainly two subspecies - M. m. musculus and M. m. domesticus - which are invasive throughout the world.
Native to the Indian subcontinent.
House mice are omnivores, their diet consisting of a variety of plant material including grains, seeds, fruits, leaves, stems and roots, in addition to insects and other invertebrates. They were found to prey on a wide range of invertebrates from beetles to spiders to earthworms, potentially having a significant influence on some invertebrate populations. The house mouse is also an important food source for many species, including domestic cats, foxes, wolves, snakes, owls and many more. In urban environments Mus musculus was found to be a large proportion of the diet of species such as barn owls, long eared owls and kestrels. So whilst house mice can be considered pests in cities, they are also important in sustaining birds of prey in these habitats.
Mus musculus is commonly used in laboratory research as a model organism.