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Although mice are quite cute, some species could well become a problem in Germany. Some mouse-like mammals transmit dangerous diseases and can cause significant damage in a heavy population. A look at our list of 19 mouse species reveals what these are.
In a nutshell
- Mice species can be found in different families such as Old World mice or burrowers
- most mice are about 10 cm tall and weigh between 20 and 40 grams
- many mouse species are intermediate hosts for infectious diseases that can be transmitted to food via traces of faeces
- Shrew species are generally beneficial and easily identified by their tapering snout
- many mouse species live in special biotopes such as wet meadows and avoid the proximity of humans
Mice species in Germany
Below you will find an overview of mouse species living in Germany. It includes information about their external appearance, where they are mainly to be found and what dangers they may pose.
A to F
Alpine Shrew (Sorex alpinus)
- Body length: 62 to 85 mm
- Tail length: 54 to 75 mm
- Weight: 5.2 to 7.7 g
- Characteristics: Grey-black upper and lower surface, white feet above, pink tip of the proboscis
- Habitat: endemic and protected in Germany, mountains with moss growth
- Harmful effect: none, eats snails, worms and various insects
Alpine wood mouse (Apodemus alpicola)
Source: Mattia Menchetti, Apodemus alpicola, Adapted from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Body length: 9 to 12 cm
- Tail length: 10 to 12 cm
- Weight: 20 to 38 g
- Characteristics: Brown upper side, white-grey underside, yellow spot on the throat
- Habitat: in Germany only in the southeast, forests, grassy areas
- Harmful effect: none, insects, seeds
Bavarian short-eared mouse (Microtus bavaricus)
Source: Nadja Hattinger, Bavarianpinevole, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Body length: 88 to 106 mm
- Tail length: 32 to 44 mm
- Weight: 18 to 28g
- Characteristics: yellow-brown fur, ears very small and almost undetectable
- Habitat: live mainly in underground passages
- Damaging effect: none
Notice: This mouse species was thought to be extinct for a while. However, a genetic type of this species was confirmed for the first time in 2008, which is why there are most likely other populations.
Field vole (Apodemus agrarius)
- Body length: 75 to 115 mm
- Tail length: 60 to 92 mm
- Weight: 14 to 35 g
- Characteristics: Red-brown coat color, black backline
- Habitat: light forests, wet meadows, raised bogs
- Harmful effect: when there is a shortage of food, they invade agricultural areas and do not stop at camps
Field Vole (Microtus agrestis)
- Body length: 95 to 133 mm
- Tail length: 26 to 47 mm
- Weight: 20 to 47 g
- Characteristics: Dark brown on top, white to yellowish underneath
- Habitat: light forests, clearings, wet meadows
- Harmful effect: occasionally a forest pest in a large population
Notice: The field vole tops the list of forest pests among rodents. This type of mouse reproduces extremely quickly and causes great damage, especially in new plantings.
Field mouse (Microtus arvalis)
- Body length: 90 to 120 mm
- Tail length: 25 to 38 mm
- Weight: 18 to 40 g
- Characteristics: Gray upper side, white to yellowish underside
- Habitat: Meadows, pastures, fields
- Damage: damage to fruit trees, young plants, holes in the turf
American shrew (Crocidura leucodon)
- Body length: 65 to 85 mm
- Tail length: 28 to 43 mm
- Weight: 7 to 15 g
- Characteristics: brown-grey upper side, white-grey underside, pointed nose
- Habitat: fallow land, roadsides, fields
- Harmful effect: none, eats pests such as grubs or snails
G to O
Garden shrew (Crocidura suaveolens)
- Body length: 50 to 75 mm
- Tail length: 25 to 40 mm
- Weight: 4 to 7.5 g
- Characteristics: grey-brown upper side, yellow to brown-grey underside and flanks
- Habitat: Fallow land, field and roadsides, gardens, dry stone walls, scree heaps
- Harmful effect: none, useful in the garden
Yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis)
- Body length: 88 to 130 mm
- Tail length: 90 to 135 mm
- Weight: 26 to 36 g
- Characteristics: Red-brown on top, white underneath, yellowish collar on the underside
- Habitat: Meadows, pastures, fields
- Harmful Effect: Damages forest crops, eats seedlings from seeds, occupies nest boxes of birds by storing their supplies in them
Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius)
The dormouse is one of the mouse species that will probably soon be given explicit protection status as their habitats are increasingly threatened.
- Body length: 80 to 90 mm
- Tail length: 53 to 81 mm
- Weight: 15 to 30g
- Characteristics: Orange-brown upper side, creamy yellow underside, white spot on the throat, tail long and densely haired
- Habitat: Forests with heavy shrub growth, hedges
- Harmful effect: none, eats insects, seeds, berries, nuts
house mouse (Mus musculus)
House mouse suckles her offspring
- Body length: 7 to 11 cm
- Tail length: 7 to 10 cm
- Weight: 20 to 25 g
- Characteristics: Mouse gray to grey-brown on top, slightly lighter underneath
- Habitat: Inherited species, in and around buildings
- Harmful effect: Storage pest, intermediate host for Borrelia
Short-eared mouse (Microtus subterraneus)
- Body length: 77 to 105 mm
- Tail length: 24 to 40 mm
- Weight: 13 to 23 g
- Characteristics: upper surface brown-grey, underside whitish
- Habitat: Slopes with loose soil and vegetation for cover
- Harmfulness: root pest in fruits and vegetables, major damage in agricultural orchards and occasionally vineyards
Eastern water vole (Arvicola amphibius)
The eastern water vole is also called water vole or large vole. The specimens living in the water are significantly larger than the populations living on land.
- Body length: 130 to 240 mm
- Tail length: 50 to 146 cm
- Weight: 65 to 320 g
- Characteristics: glossy fur, light to dark brown on top, whitish to yellowish underneath
- Habitat: Meadows, fallow land, riparian areas, swamps
- Harmful effect: food pest in agriculture and garden, carrier of diseases
In the overview of pests in the garden, voles are the main problem, along with snails and aphids. They are among the species of mice that can contaminate fresh fruit and vegetables in the garden.
R to Z
Bank vole (Myodes glareolus)
Bank vole carries her newborn
- Body length: 7 to 13 cm
- Tail length: 3 to 6.5 cm
- Weight: 12 to 35 g
- Characteristics: Red-brown to fox-red on top, whitish to gray underneath and on the flanks
- Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests, hedges, semi-natural gardens, sheds, storerooms, often near running water
- Harmful effect: forest pest on deciduous trees, eats seedlings, carrier of the Hanta virus
Notice: There are regional subspecies of the bank vole, which can vary visually.
Swamp mouse (Microtus oeconomus)
Source: ALAN GREAMER, VOLE, TUNDRA (microtus oeconomus) (9-4-08) gambell, ak -2 (2834490753), edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
- Body length: 95 to 135 mm
- Tail length: 39 to 64 mm
- Weight: 20 to 64 g
- Characteristics: Yellow-grey upper side, whitish underside
- Habitat: Wet meadows, forest bogs, riparian zones
- Damaging effect: rarely in the area of riparian zones through underground passages, eats grasses, sedges and various herbs
Birch mouse (Sicista betulina)
Similar to the band vole, the birch vole also has a conspicuous black back line.
- Body length: 50 to 72 mm
- Tail length: 76 to 108 mm
- Weight: 5 to 11 g
- Characteristics: Yellow-grey upperside, distinctive black back line, light gray underside
- Habitat: in Germany mainly in southern regions, forests, moors, wet meadows
- Damaging effect: none, eats berries, grass seeds, insects
wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)
- Body length: 8 to 11 cm
- Tail length: 7 to 11.5 cm
- Weight: 13 to 36 g
- Characteristics: upper surface brown-grey with an occasional yellowish tinge, underside whitish
- Habitat: Hedges, ditches, riparian zones, edges along fields, good climbers and also penetrate houses via vegetation on facades
- Harmful effect: forest pest, eats seedlings
Wood shrew (Sorex araneus)
- Body length: 65 to 85 mm
- Tail length: 35 to 47 mm
- Weight: 6.5 to 14.3 g
- Characteristics: Black-brown upper side, light brown flanks, gray underside
- Habitat: moist forests, wet meadows, rock crevices, sand dunes
- Harmful effect: none, eats earthworms, snails, insects and occasionally small vertebrates
Notice: The wood shrew is the most common shrew species in Germany and is currently considered not endangered.
Harvest Mouse (Micromys minutus)
- Body length: 55 to 75 mm
- Tail length: 50 to 75 mm
- Weight: 5 to 7 g
- Characteristics: reddish brown on top, white on bottom
- Habitat: tall grasses, reeds, occasionally fields and hedges
- Harmful Effect: Rare in Granaries
Notice: The harvest mouse is one of the mouse species whose habitats are declining sharply. Therefore, they often penetrate into fields, where they often fall victim to harvesting machines. In Germany it is on the list of endangered mouse species and is already protected regionally.
frequently asked Questions
How does disease transmission to humans work?Diseases of mice, for example, can be transmitted through the faeces. Contaminated food should therefore be disposed of immediately.
How can I get rid of mice?An easy way to get rid of mice is to not provide them with a place to live. Mainly the lack of food is a reason for mice to disappear. In the event of an infestation of mice, you should therefore first and foremost remove possible food sources.
Are there protected mouse species?In principle, all mammals are protected in Germany. Some species of mice, such as the harvest mouse or regional subspecies, enjoy special protection and may not be killed even if they occur in large numbers with possible harmful effects. If protected species become a problem, you should contact your nearest environmental agency to find appropriate solutions, such as population relocation.
How can I tell rats from mice?There are a number of external features for this. Rats are usually significantly larger than mice. In addition, they appear darker due to their dark gray fur. Their bare, scaly tail is also very different from the mice's short, hairy tails.