[2] It is found in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and Papua New Guinea.

In 2024, genetic study revealed that delicate mouse populations actually belong to not one, but three different species.

[4] It is the smallest of all Australian native mice with a head and body length of 55–75 mm with adults of both sexes being roughly the same in size, weight (6–15 g) and colour.

At birth the eyes are shut and the ears tightly folded back, they develop quickly and are independent of the mother around four weeks of age.

[1] The animal lives in hollow logs, under pieces of bark, or in burrows, the design of which varies with local conditions: in hard granite sand ridges the burrow is shallow, intricately constructed retreats with many false passages and one main nesting chamber; in sandy conditions the burrows are deep simple structures around two metres long and with only one main chamber.