Some scientists believe that the relationship between mice and humans has, over time, diminished the ability of mice to survive in nature
that now they must depend upon human civilization for their continued existence. This opinion, however, ignores significant facts. Despite numerous predators and humanity' s enmity, mice have distributed themselves more widely across the planet than any other mammal except humans. Mice reproduce rapidly and, more important to their survival, they have the ability to adapt to an extraordinary range of habitats. Should the environment ever become too extreme to support human life, naturalists predict that mice would be able to adapt and survive.
Fossil remains prove that mice inhabited North America prior to the arrival of humans.