Which physical traits are common among mice in the genus Mus?

Mice belonging to the genus Mus share a specific combination of physical traits that distinguish them from other rodents. Common features include:

• Body Structure: They possess a slender body with a blunt or tapered muzzle.1
• Limbs and Claws: They have narrow hind feet with bald soles and sharp, small claws.1
• Ears and Tail: Their ears are prominent and thinly furred, often appearing naked. The tail is also scantily haired and can vary in length, ranging from shorter than the body to approximately equal to the head and body length.12
• Coat and Coloration: While fur texture varies—ranging from soft and dense to spiny—a common color pattern consists of gray to brown upperparts with white underparts and feet. The tail is frequently bicolored, appearing dark above and white below, though variations in these patterns and colors exist across different species.1

These physical characteristics define the genus, which includes diverse groups such as spiny mice, shrew-mice, rice field mice, and the house mouse.1