How to tell if a mouse is nursing?

Question
Hello,

I live in a remote cottage in the country, making us very attractive with mice. I am currently catching and relocating mice from my home, however, the adult female I have caught has very noticeable exposed nipples. I wonder if this indicates that she is nursing? If so, I will have to release her back into my home and deal with the consequences later. Is there a reliable way to tell if a mouse is nursing, or just pregnant? Thank you for any help you can give.

Gemma, Cornwall UK

Answer
Hi Gemma,

I've never noticed exposed nipples in a mouse that is simply pregnant, but the nursing definitely does wear away the hair around each nipple very visibly.  I believe from how you're describing it that she probably is still nursing (but sometimes the hair can take awhile to come back, and may not come back all the way at all, so I can't be positive), so I would personally re-release her and look for her in the future, but that of course depends on how willing you are to handle the repercussions of releasing a breeding female back into your home.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!
-Tam