noun
Japanese dancing mouse
A domesticated variety of house mouse known for its distinctive spinning or circling behavior, often kept as a pet or used in research. The name literally means 'spinning-top mouse'.
独楽鼠は、くるくると回る動きが特徴的な小さなネズミです。
The Japanese dancing mouse is a small mouse characterized by its spinning movements.
昔、独楽鼠は見世物として人気があった。
In the past, Japanese dancing mice were popular as a sideshow attraction.
ハツカネズミ is the general term for the house mouse (Mus musculus), while 独楽鼠 specifically refers to the dancing variety with the characteristic spinning behavior.
Compound of 独楽 (こま, spinning top) and 鼠 (ねずみ, mouse), referring to the mouse's spinning behavior. The alternate spelling 高麗鼠 uses 高麗 (Goryeo, an ancient Korean kingdom), possibly reflecting a historical belief about its origin, but the exact derivation is uncertain.