This familiar small rodent arrived in North America in the baggage and stores of the early settlers. House mice are prolific breeders: they reach sexual maturity at 35 days, and have several 21-day pregnancies per year, producing 4-7 offspring per litter. Chiefly nocturnal in activity, their food consists of grains, fruit and vegetables, stored food, and refuse.
The predations of cats, dogs, snakes, hawks, owls, weasels, opossums, skunks, raccoons, and foxes help to control their numbers.

---