Do Mice Have Bones? (A Look at How Their Skeleton Works)

There is a myth I’ve heard more than once that mice do not have bones. This is the reason why people think they can squeeze through small gaps and into homes where it was thought impossible.

But it is a myth. So, to answer the question, ‘do mice have bones?‘ Yes, they do!

Mice are mammals so they have internal skeletons like we do. Their bodies have a similar number of bones to ours, but the 25 vertebrae in their tails mean they have more bones than humans overall.

The reason they can fit through small gaps about the size of their heads is that their ribs are flexible (that and some serious determination).

This allows them to squeeze through gaps that you wouldn’t think was possible. Which is why when a mouse chews through something they can force themselves through the hole.

How Many Bones Do Mice Have?

Mice have a total of 231 bones. Their bodies consist of 206 bones as does the human body, then they have an extra 25 bones in their tails.

This also answers another question I get quite a lot, ‘do mice have bones in their tails?‘ Yes, as I’ve explained they do have bones in their tails.

Do Mice Have Collarbones?

Seeing as I’m busting myths, here is another one. Mice do have collarbones, contrary to what you might have heard.

Obviously, our collarbones make it difficult for us to squeeze through spaces not much wider than our heads, which is why I think people assume mice do not have collarbones.

They have a sloping clavicle that different from ours. This is another way that their design allows them to get through spaces that look too small for their bodies.

You can actually see what I’m talking about if you look at the posture of a mouse. Their shoulders are not much broader than their heads and their front legs are tucked into their bodies.