Small Mammals of North Dakota
Deer Mouse
Peromyscus maniculatus
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The deer mouse is the most widespread of the cricetids, and in many areas, the most abundant. In North Dakota, it is distributed statewide and found in every habitat from grasslands to badlands to forests and hedgerows. It usually avoids wetland areas.
This mouse species is about five inches long including a two inch tail. It weighs a little less than an ounce. It is medium brown on the back and sides and white on the belly. The tail is sharply split into brown on top and white below.
Deer mice live most often in empty burrows of other animals or in similar hide-aways such as fallen logs, old buildings, soil cracks, or underneath rocks. A cup or ball-shaped nest is constructed of materials such as fur, bark, and fine grass where animals can sleep, escape the cold, and give birth.
Breeding occurs in the spring and fall. After a gestation period of about 23 days, females give birth to an average of four young which each weigh about the equivalent of half a penny. Young females have been reported to be able to produce young at the age of five weeks but the average is seven. Population densities vary widely in different habitats and from season to season.
Deer mice are active throughout the year but winter activity is usually restricted below the snow. They are omnivores, eating both the seeds of plants and insect material such as adult and larval beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers. Because of their abundance, they are easily preyed upon by owls, fox, weasels, skunks, badgers, coyotes, bobcats, and snakes. They are protected somewhat from hawk attack because they are most active during the night.
Return to Family Cricetidae
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