These captive mice have a brightly lit nesting area for their pups. MiViK / Shutterstock
Mice are social animals. In the wild, mice live in colonies composed of one dominant male and several females, with each female raising her litter in a separate nest chamber.
One nest might hold five to 12 babies, or pups, which are born hairless and blind. Mothers raise their young in dark, hidden places like woodpiles or burrows.
In domestic settings, like pet cages, groups of mice can also include unrelated individuals. In both cases, mice communicate through ultrasonic squeaks and scent trails.
