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Pest Library
Size: |
Deer mouse adult's head+body length is 2.75-4 in (7-10
cm); tail length is about 2-5 in (5-13 cm); weight is about 1 ounce
(10-35 g). |
Characteristics: |
Tail is longer than half of head+body length, sharply bicolored,
and covered with short hairs or fur. Hind feet have six pads each. |
Color: |
The deer mouse is bicolored, pale gray/buff to deep red/brown above,
and white below. |
Geographic Range: |
Western U.S. from Mexico to so. Yukon and Northwest territories
of Canada; eastern U.S. from Hudson Bay to Pennsylvania, so. Appalachians,
c. Arkansas and c. Texas. |
Comparison with other mice: |
All Peromyscus species, of which the deer mouse is one, are similar
to each other, but differ from the house mouse because of being bicolored
with hairy tails. Old field mouse has lighter color above, and a shorter
tail. Canyon mouse has tail with a tufted tip that is longer. Brush
mouse's tail is equal to or longer than head+body length. California
mouse is much larger, with head+body 3 3/4 to 5 in long (10-13 cm),
and is yellow/brown to gray mixed with black above; tail is not strongly
bicolored. |
Habitat: |
Deer mice live utside in tree hollows, old fence posts, log piles,
abandoned nests and burrows, or in their own old burrows. Inside in
wall voids, corners, small places in basements and attics, storage
boxes, stuffed furniture. Home range is 1/2 to 3 acres, with up to
10-15 deer mice per acre in summer. |
Food: |
Deer mice eat insects, seeds, nuts, berries, fruits, underground
fungus. Food is stored in protected places for winter use. |
Biology: |
Litters have about 3-5 young. With a gestation period of 21-24
days, females have 2-4 litters per year, mostly in the spring. They
begin breeding at 5-6 weeks of age. |
Damage: |
During the cold months deer mice enter garages, sheds and homes
that border on wooded areas. They may get into stored food, or nest
in upholstered furniture. They are primary carriers of hantavirus,
which is transmitted mainly by the inhalation of dust particles that
are contaminated with the urine or feces of infected mice. |
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