Why do house mice have a strong musky smell?

The house mouse (Mus musculus) is well-known for its distinctive, strong, musky odor. This scent is primarily linked to the animal's complex chemical communication system.123

House mice utilize urine as a primary medium for social and reproductive signaling. Their urine contains over 60 different volatile compounds that function as pheromones—endogenous chemicals secreted to elicit specific reactions from other members of the same species. By repeatedly marking their environment at specific "marking posts," mice distribute these chemical mixtures, which are essential for individual recognition and influencing the physiology and behavior of other mice. The combination of these numerous volatile compounds contributes to the characteristic musky smell associated with the species.231