View source for C57BL/6 mice

[[File:Black 6 mouse eating.jpg|thumb|C57BL/6, female, 22 weeks old]]
'''C57BL/6''', often referred to as "C57 black 6", "B6", "C57" or "black 6", is a common [[wikipedia:Inbred_strain|inbred strain]] of [[wikipedia:Laboratory_mouse|laboratory mouse]].

It is the most widely used "genetic background" for genetically modified mice for use as models of human disease. They are the most widely used and best-selling mouse strain due to the availability of [[wikipedia:Congenic|congenic]] strains, easy breeding, and robustness.<ref name="Slate">Engber, Daniel (17 November 2011). [http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/the_mouse_trap/2011/11/black_6_lab_mice_and_the_history_of_biomedical_research.html "The Trouble With Black-6: A tiny alcoholic takes over the lab"]. Slate.com.</ref>

The median lifespan of C57BL/6 mice is 27–29 months and the maximum lifespan is about 36 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lifespan.io/topic/the-c57bl-6-black-6-mouse-strain/|title=The C57BL 6 (Black 6) Mouse Strain|website=[[Life Extension Advocacy Foundation|Lifespan.io]]|access-date=27 July 2023}}</ref>