If you see a mouse scuttle past you do you stop in amazement and say ‘aww’ or do you jump on a chair and scream? While beautiful creatures, mice can certainly give humans a shock when they appear unexpectedly. But did you know that there are six types of mice in the UK? These are found in a variety of different environments - so let’s find out more. 
 

1. House Mouse

First up is the house mouse, a small rodent primarily found in human dwellings and farm houses. This is the mouse you’ll typically see darting across the kitchen floor, hiding in cereal boxes or jumping into saucepans. It likes small, dark places and can often scuttle around in lofts and attics too. If you hear tiny footsteps above you, the house mouse is most likely the culprit. This mouse can be brown or grey with a long, scaly tail.
 

2. Wood Mouse 

As the name suggests, the wood mouse lives in woodlands as well as gardens and hedgerows. It’s got a cute little face with huge eyes and big ears, and its body is covered in brown fur with a white underbelly. Mice are typically shy and timid creatures, as you’ll know if you’ve ever read The Lion Inside story by Rachel Bright. This wonderful tale is all about a shy mouse who longs to roar like a lion.

3. Yellow-Necked Mouse 

This little mouse is very similar to the wood mouse, apart from the distinctive yellow band around its neck. Yellow-necked mice also live in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens, so the next time you see a mouse outside, try to work out what type it is before it runs away and hides again. 
 

4. Harvest Mouse 

The harvest mouse is the smallest of all British rodents and often hides away in long grass, reeds and crops. It has reddish-brown fur, a white underside and what’s known as a prehensile tail for climbing. Like human hands, this helps to grasp objects and makes it easier for the rodents to find and eat food at height.
 

5. Field Mouse 

The field mouse is pretty easy to identify. This is because it has a distinctive dark stripe down the back of its brown furred body. It has a white underbelly and lives in grasslands, meadows and fields. 
 

6. Dormouse

Believe it or not, the dormouse is not actually a member of the mouse family. They might have round ears and a long tail, but they’re more closely related to squirrels and beavers. That said, they look so much like mice that you could easily mistake their identity. 

If you love animals and are looking for ‘family fun near me,’ don’t miss The Lion Inside stage show, which is currently touring the UK. This beautiful story is about self acceptance and teaches little ones that courage comes in many forms. It’s told using stunning puppetry and sets that are inspired by the book’s illustrations. When looking for ‘kids activities near me,’ this is a great choice.