House mice are prolific breeders – a single female mouse can get pregnant every month or so and give birth to up to 13 babies in each litter. These tiny creatures develop quickly inside their mother’s womb and are born hairless, with closed eyes and ears.
But they grow fast! Their ears grow in just a few days, and they sprout fur. Then, after two weeks, their eyes open, and they can see the world around them. And after three weeks, they’re ready to start eating solid food.
As young mice explore their environment for food, male mice fight for territory while females stay close to their mothers. Female mice can start having babies when they’re just six weeks old.