Indian House Mouse (Mus Mesculus castanus)

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Sinhalese: Kossata-miya

Tamil: Sund’elli, Sit’elli

Description: Has an average overall length of 167 mm and there are 4 members of the genus in sri lanka. The silky fur and grey under parts of the house mouse set it apart from all other rodent. Sexes alike, but females usually larger than males.

Distribution: found at all elevations throughout the island.

Habits: as its name implies, it occupies human dwellings. Is omnivorous and will eat anything but seldom carnivorous owing to small size. Hides in a secluded place during the day and emerges at night. Has capacity to be destructive but is harmless to man.

Breeding: Some three to five litters of five or six are born every year, the nest usually being made in a quiet scheduled place amongst lumber, in a disused box or somewhere similar. 

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