Zapus hudsonius
ID
- Basically mouselike form, but with large feet, long hind legs, and a very long tail
- Yellowish sides, white underparts and feet, darker dorsal band with many black-tipped hairs. Tail is brown above and white below with sparse hair
Distribution
Reproduction
- Emergence from hibernation begins the mating season in spring
- After and 18 day gestation period, three to six young are born
- Two litters per year
Behavior
- Usually hide during the day and feed during the night, but not exclusively
- Don’t use runways like other mice, but jump around freely
- Don’t store food, but build up a fat layer to get them through hibernation, requiring two weeks of heavy eating.
Food Habits
- After hibernation, animal material, especially beetles and cutworms, and seeds
- Seeds, fungi, berries, fruits
- Will gain access to grass seed heads by cutting the stalk until the seeds can be reached (Whitaker)
Size/Life Cycle
- Average measurements: 202 mm (total length), 12-30 g (total weight) (Smithsonian)
Predators
- Barn owls, foxes, skunks, weasels, snakes (Whitaker)
Habitat
- Grassy field or mixed grass/forb fields, early successional-stage shrubland (Whitaker)