Identification
Size: Head-body length is typically 65-80mm. The tail is significantly longer than the body, measuring 90-110mm.
Color: The fur is exceptionally soft and fine, giving the species its name. The dorsal (upper) fur is a pale silky grey, sometimes with a hint of fawn. The ventral (under) surface, including the feet, is pure white, creating a distinct line of demarcation along the flanks.
Biology & Lifecycle
Reproduction is closely linked to rainfall and food availability. In good conditions, they can breed year-round, but breeding typically peaks in spring and summer. Females can produce multiple litters per year. Litter size is small, usually consisting of 3-4 young.
Lifecycle Details
The lifespan in the wild is relatively short, typically around 1-2 years. Adulthood is reached quickly, within a few months of birth. The lifespan is heavily influenced by environmental conditions, food availability, and predation pressure.
Habitat & Distribution
- Semi-arid heathlands and mallee woodlands on sandy or loamy soils.
- They are strongly associated with habitats dominated by banksias, desert stringybark, and other sclerophyllous shrubs.
- They require a certain vegetation structure, often preferring areas that have not been burnt for 5-15 years.
- They are not found in agricultural areas, urban environments, or dense forests.
- Their habitat is specific and has been fragmented by land clearing.
Distribution Patterns
- Victoria
- South Australia
Behavior & Diet
Strictly nocturnal. They emerge from their burrows after dark to forage for food and return before dawn. They are entirely inactive above ground during the day.
Dietary Preferences
Omnivorous, with a diet that shifts based on seasonal availability.
Health Risks
Always consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns related to pest exposure.
- There is no evidence that the Silky Mouse transmits any diseases to humans.
- Unlike introduced rodents that live with humans, native mice in their natural habitat are not associated with human pathogens.
- No bacterial contamination risks are known.
- No viral transmission possibilities are known.
- No parasitic organism transmission is known.
Economic Impact
Professional Treatment: $0. Lethal control is illegal and unnecessary. If one needs to be removed from an accidental situation, contact a wildlife rescuer.
Prevention Costs: $0. No specific prevention is required beyond standard home maintenance to exclude all animals.
DIY Treatment: $0. Do not attempt any DIY treatment or trapping.
Structural Damage: Causes no structural damage. It does not inhabit human buildings.
Food Contamination: No risk of food contamination.
Equipment Damage: No risk.
Restaurant Issues: None.
Retail Impact: None.
Reputation Damage: None.
Detection & Signs
- Soft, pale grey fur on the back.
- A sharply defined, pure white belly and feet.
- A very long tail, significantly longer than its head and body.
- Large eyes and ears for its size.
- It does not have the musty, ammonia-like smell of the introduced House Mouse.
Prevention
- This section describes **How to Prevent Harming Them**.
- Do not use poison baits (rodenticides) in or near native bushland. These baits kill native animals, not just pests.
- Keep domestic cats indoors, especially at night, as they are a major predator of native rodents.
- Control introduced predators like foxes on rural properties.
- Maintain the integrity of their native heathland habitat. Do not clear it or introduce invasive weeds.
- To prevent any animal, pest or native, from entering your home, ensure your house is well-sealed.
- Seal cracks and holes in the foundation, walls, and roof.
- Install weather strips on the bottom of doors.
- Ensure fly screens are intact.
- These standard rodent-proofing measures will protect your home from pests and prevent native animals from accidentally wandering inside and becoming trapped.
- If your property borders native heathland, avoid planting invasive garden species that could spread into their habitat.
- Promote local native plants in your garden to support all local wildlife.
- Do not remove native vegetation or disturb the soil in areas where they are known to live.
- Understand that their burrows are a natural part of the landscape and do not need to be 'tidied up' or removed.
- Create a buffer between your manicured garden and any adjacent bushland.
Control Methods
Chemical Control: **Illegal and Inappropriate.** It is against the law to poison native wildlife. Rodenticides are indiscriminate and will kill this protected species. No professional pest controller should ever use chemicals for this animal.
Physical Control: Not applicable. Trapping should only be done by licensed researchers for scientific purposes. It is illegal for the public or pest controllers to trap this species.
Integrated Approach: The only appropriate approach is **conservation**. If you find a Silky Mouse in a problematic situation (e.g., injured or trapped in a house), the correct action is to contact a licensed wildlife rescue organisation (like Wildlife Victoria) or your state's environment department for advice.
Mechanical Control: The only acceptable 'mechanical control' is to safely contain an animal that is trapped inside your home (e.g., by placing a box over it) and then calling a wildlife rescuer for assistance. Do not attempt to handle it.
Natural Remedies: Not applicable. No deterrents are needed.
Professional Services
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Browse All ProvidersSeasonal Patterns
Breeding season often peaks in spring. Increased activity around burrows as young are raised and forage.
Activity continues, especially if summer rains have boosted food supplies. Foraging occurs nightly.
Breeding may continue if conditions are favourable. Young from spring litters begin to disperse.
Activity is reduced, but they do not hibernate. They rely on food stores and forage on milder nights. They remain in their insulated burrows during the coldest periods.
Can breed year-round in ideal conditions, but typically peaks in spring and summer.
Legal Considerations
Professional pest control operators must be licensed and comply with relevant regulations regarding mouse control treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Silky Mouse a pest that I need to control?
No, absolutely not. The Silky Mouse is a protected native Australian animal, not a pest. It is illegal to harm, trap, or poison this species. It plays a beneficial role in its natural heathland ecosystem as a pollinator and seed disperser. The primary challenge is misidentification. People may mistake it for the invasive House Mouse (*Mus musculus*), which is a genuine pest. This guide is designed to help you tell the difference so that you do not accidentally (and illegally) harm a native animal. If you find a Silky Mouse, the only correct action is to leave it undisturbed.
How can I tell the difference between a Silky Mouse and a regular House Mouse?
There are several key features to look for. The most obvious is the colour. A Silky Mouse has pale, silky grey fur on its back and a starkly contrasting, pure white belly. The pest House Mouse is a drab, uniform greyish-brown all over. Secondly, look at the tail. The Silky Mouse has a very long tail, significantly longer than its head and body combined. The House Mouse's tail is about the same length as its body or shorter. Finally, the House Mouse has a strong, distinctive musty or ammonia-like odour, which the native Silky Mouse lacks. Habitat is also a huge clue: if the mouse is inside your house, it is almost certainly a House Mouse. The Silky Mouse is a wild animal that lives in specific heathland habitats and does not infest buildings.
Can I use rat or mouse baits in areas where Silky Mice live?
You should never use poison baits in or near native bushland, parks, or reserves where Silky Mice or other native animals live. Rodenticides, particularly second-generation anticoagulant baits, are indiscriminate killers. A Silky Mouse might eat the bait directly, or a native predator like an owl or goanna might eat a poisoned mouse and be poisoned themselves (secondary poisoning). Using these products in natural habitats is environmentally destructive and illegal if it results in the death of protected wildlife. Pest control should be targeted specifically at pest species within human dwellings and agricultural areas, using methods that minimise risk to non-target animals, such as placing baits in tamper-proof stations within buildings where natives are not present.
I found a small grey and white mouse that seems injured. What should I do?
If you find what you believe to be an injured Silky Mouse or any native animal, the most important thing is to act safely and responsibly. Do not attempt to handle the animal yourself. While not aggressive, a frightened, injured animal may bite. Your priority is to get it professional help. From a safe distance, try to contain it by placing a well-ventilated box over it if possible, to stop it from wandering off. Then, immediately call your local licensed wildlife rescue organisation, such as Wildlife Victoria, or a local vet clinic. Vets will typically assess and treat injured wildlife free of charge. Provide them with the exact location where you found the animal, as this is critical for its potential release back into its home territory after recovery.
Does the Silky Mouse carry diseases like pest rodents do?
There is no evidence to suggest that the Silky Mouse or other native rodents in their natural, undisturbed habitats pose a significant disease risk to humans. The diseases we typically associate with rodents, such as leptospirosis or salmonellosis, are primarily an issue with invasive pest species like the Black Rat and House Mouse. This is because these pest species have evolved to live in extremely close proximity to humans, thriving in our sewers, homes, and food stores, which creates a pathway for disease transmission. The Silky Mouse is a wild animal that lives in its own burrow system in the bush. It does not share our homes or food, and therefore the opportunity for it to transmit pathogens to humans is virtually non-existent.
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Image Gallery
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