White-Footed Mouse
Peromyscus leucopus
Family Cricetidae

Characteristics:
* Fur pale to rich reddish brown, belly and feet white.
* Tail short and thin, bicolored, with brown above and white below, 2 2/5-4".
* Head and body length: 3 3/5-4 1/5".

Natural History:
* Habitat: Prefers wooded or brushy areas, open grassy spaces. Nests in old bird and squirrel nests, buildings, stumps, and logs.
* Range: Eastern southern, and central United States.
* Behavior: Nocturnal and active all year, except in the coldest days of winter. Breeds throughout the year in the south, from February to November in the north. Eats hemlock and other seeds, nuts, mushrooms, and insects, storing seeds and nuts. The white-footed mouse exhibits territorial behavior and does not often live in large groups.
* Native.

Connections!
* White-footed mice usually only invade human homes in the fall, when looking for warm winter quarters. They provide major prey for owls, especially screech owls and barred owls.

* "Mountains will heave in childbirth, and a silly little mouse will be born."
-Horace, 65-8 B.C.E.

Approved by NR