STATUS OF MICE IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

The study on “Present Status of Mice in Bangladesh” was done to know the no. of species; habitation & breeds of mice in Bangladesh, their behavioral & physiological characters ;and their common diseases,treatment & prevention.There are about 38 species of mice found in the world. . The best-known mice species are the black mice /House mice-Mus musculus. Bangladeshi mice are commonly Mus musculus .. Mice have an adult body length (nose to base of tail) of 7.5–10 cm (3.0–3.9 in) and a tail length of 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in). The weight is typically 10–25 g. Wild mice are as different from house mice . They rarely bite and stay clean by grooming themselves. Most house mice,live in crivicesin rocks,woodpiles of debris,and in shedsbarns,crawlspaces and garages,wherever they can hide that”s near a source of food. If there is no other suitable shelter,they may dig complex burrows,these are nocturnal animals, the pet ones are happy to sleep during the day while their owner,is at work or school.In nature mice are largely harbivores,consuming any kind of fruit or grain from plants and animal matters. House mice primarily feed on plant matter, but are omnivorous... They may eat their own faeces to acquire nutrients produced by bacteria in their intestines. House mice, like most other rodents, do not vomit. Mice are sexually dimorphic. Breeding onset is at about 50 days of age in both females & males. Females may have their first estrus at 25-40 days.House mice have a polygynous mating system Spring is the most active season for mice breeding. Mices are fast breeders and give birth to a litter of 3–14 young (average six to eight). One female can have 5 to 10 litters per year .The average litter size is 10-12 during optimum production. Gestation period is 20 days. Weaning age 18 -28 days of age. The life span of a mouse is usually 9 to 12 months Now-a-days, mices are commonly kept as pets all over the world. Pet mice pretence the same health risks to humans as other household animals so. Common diseases of mice such as Skin wounds, ulcerative dermatitis, abscesses or tumors; Abdominal enlargement,ascites, distended urinary bladder;Abnormal posture,Myocardial degeneration; Arteritis etc. For prevention of mice diseases some vaccine is available for some specific diseses.