Identification
Size: The head and body length of an adult Ash-grey Mouse ranges from 70mm to 100mm. The tail is notably long, typically longer than the body, measuring from 90mm to 120mm.
Color: The dorsal fur is very long, fine, and soft, giving it a fluffy appearance. The colour is a pale, smoke-like ash-grey, interspersed with darker guard hairs. This fades into a pure white on the belly, feet, and lower parts of the face, with a clear line of demarcation along the flanks. The tail is bi-coloured: pale grey or brown above and white below.
Biology & Lifecycle
Breeding is seasonal, peaking in late winter and spring (from about August to November). This timing coincides with the peak flowering and seeding of many heathland plants following winter rains, ensuring an abundant food supply for the mothers and their young. In good seasons, a female might produce more than one litter.
Lifecycle Details
As a mammal, the Ash-grey Mouse gives birth to live young. After a gestation period of about 27-28 days, a litter of 2 to 6 pups is born in a grass-lined nesting chamber at the end of a burrow. The young are cared for by the female, and are weaned at around 3-4 weeks. They reach sexual maturity at a few months of age. The lifespan in the wild is thought to be short, likely only a year or two, which is typical for small rodents that face high predation pressure. Their life cycle is adapted to the seasonal availability of food in their heathland environment.
Habitat & Distribution
- Coastal and near-coastal heathlands with sandy soils.
- Banksia woodlands and mallee-heath communities.
- Their habitat is critically linked to fire ecology; they prefer habitats with a mature and diverse understory, often found 5-10 years after a fire.
- They require a complex vegetation structure that provides both food and cover.
- Found exclusively in southwestern Western Australia.
Distribution Patterns
Found only in Western Australia. Its distribution is patchy, extending along the coast from near Shark Bay in the north down to the south coast, east towards the Great Australian Bight.
Behavior & Diet
The Ash-grey Mouse is nocturnal, emerging from its burrow at night to forage for food. They spend the day resting in the safety of their burrow.
Dietary Preferences
A true omnivore, its diet is highly varied and adaptable to what is seasonally available in the heathland environment.
Health Risks
Always consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns related to pest exposure.
- Not considered a health risk to humans. No known disease transmission.
Economic Impact
Professional Treatment: Not applicable.
Prevention Costs: Not applicable.
DIY Treatment: Not applicable.
Structural Damage: None.
Food Contamination: None.
Equipment Damage: None.
Restaurant Issues: None.
Retail Impact: None.
Reputation Damage: None.
Detection & Signs
- Very soft, long, pale ash-grey fur on its back.
- A sharply demarcated, pure white belly.
- A delicate build with a pointed muzzle.
- A long, bi-coloured tail (dark above, white below).
- Found only in the heathlands of Western Australia.
Prevention
- Not applicable.
- Not a species that typically enters homes. Standard pest-proofing of rural properties would prevent accidental entry.
- To support this species, residents in its range should aim to retain and restore native heathland vegetation in their gardens and on their properties. Avoiding clearing native understory is crucial.
Control Methods
Chemical Control: Absolutely not. This is a protected native species.
Physical Control: Not applicable.
Integrated Approach: The only integrated approach is a conservation plan for its habitat.
Mechanical Control: Not applicable.
Natural Remedies: Not applicable.
Professional Services
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Browse All ProvidersSeasonal Patterns
Peak breeding season. The population is at its most active, with abundant food from flowering and seeding heathland plants.
Activity decreases as the landscape becomes hot and dry. The mice spend more time in their burrows to conserve moisture.
A secondary, smaller peak of activity and potential breeding may occur if there are autumn rains.
The start of the breeding season. Foraging occurs on cool nights.
Primarily from late winter through spring (August to November).
Legal Considerations
Professional pest control operators must be licensed and comply with relevant regulations regarding mouse control treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if the mouse in my house is an Ash-grey Mouse or a pest?
If you live in the specific coastal regions of Western Australia, it's possible but still unlikely to be an Ash-grey Mouse, as they strongly prefer their native bushland habitat. The easiest way to tell the difference is by appearance and smell. The native Ash-grey Mouse has beautiful, soft, pale grey fur, a clearly defined pure white belly, and large eyes. It has no distinctive 'mousy' smell. The introduced House Mouse, which is a common pest, has coarse, brownish-grey fur all over (no clean white belly), smaller eyes, and a very strong, unpleasant musky odour that is often noticeable in an infested room. If the animal runs on all four feet and matches the House Mouse description, it is a pest. If it's pale grey with a white belly and you live right next to heathland, you may have a rare native visitor.
What is special about the Ash-grey Mouse's fur?
The fur of the Ash-grey Mouse is one of its most distinctive features and is often remarked upon by mammalogists. It is exceptionally long, dense, and soft to the touch. The colour is a pale, smoky or 'ashy' grey, which gives the species its name. This beautiful coat is not just for looks; it provides the mouse with excellent insulation, which is important for a small, warm-blooded animal trying to conserve heat during the cool, damp nights of its coastal Western Australian habitat. The softness and density of the fur are key characteristics that distinguish it from the coarse, greasy feel of the fur of an introduced House Mouse.
Where does the Ash-grey Mouse live?
The Ash-grey Mouse is a habitat specialist with a very specific address. It is endemic to Western Australia, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. Its distribution is patchy and primarily follows the coastline, from around Kalbarri National Park in the north, down through the Swan coastal plain near Perth, and along the south coast towards the Great Australian Bight. It lives in coastal and near-coastal heathlands, sandplains, and Banksia woodlands that grow on deep, sandy soils. The structure and age of this vegetation are very important; they thrive in diverse, mature heath that has recovered for at least 5-10 years after a bushfire.
Is the Ash-grey Mouse endangered?
Currently, the Ash-grey Mouse is not listed as nationally endangered or vulnerable, and its conservation status is generally considered 'Least Concern'. However, this can be misleading as its populations are known to have declined and become highly fragmented due to habitat clearing for urban development and agriculture, especially around Perth and in the northern wheatbelt. While the species as a whole is not on the brink, local populations are certainly under threat. It remains a protected native species, and its survival depends on the conservation of the remaining patches of its specialized heathland habitat and effective management of threats like feral predators and inappropriate fire regimes.
What should I do if I find an Ash-grey Mouse in my garden?
Finding a native Ash-grey Mouse in your garden should be considered a privilege and a sign that you have a healthy, functioning patch of native habitat. The best thing you can do is to leave it alone and appreciate it. Do not attempt to trap or poison it, as it is a protected species. You can support its presence by maintaining native vegetation in your garden, especially local heathland shrubs and groundcovers. Avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides and rodenticides, as these can harm the mouse directly or kill its food source. If you have pets, particularly cats, keeping them indoors at night is the single most effective action you can take to protect not just the Ash-grey Mouse, but all native nocturnal wildlife in your area.
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Image Gallery
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