Deer Mice
OVERVIEW
Latin name: Peromyscus maniculatus
APPEARANCE
Deer mice are round and slender with 7 – 10 cm in length. They have pointed and large nose, black beady eyes. Their ears are large with little fur covering them. Their bodies have light brownish-reddish top and white underbelly and feet. The tail is short, distinctly (dark on top and light on bottom), and it is covered by short and smooth hair with the length ranges from 5 to 13 cm.
BEHAVIORS, DIETS AND HABIT
Their nests are located in hollow logs, tree holes, under piles of stones or logs. They are popular in the fields, rural or wooded areas. Deer mice commonly avoid humans and they prefer attics, basements or crawl spaces. In winters, they hide indoors in order to find foods and warmth for themselves. Their nests are informed by fur, grass weed, seeds and papers. Although deer mice become sluggish during cold months, they do not hibernate. In that time, they are often actively finding foods which is near their nests.
Deer mice are herbivorous, but they also consume other kind of foods. Their favorite food resources are seeds, nuts, small fruits and berries, insects.
REPRODUCTION
Reaches sexual maturity in 7 – 8 weeks. Deer mice start their reproductive process, about 2 – 4 litters per year in warm months. There are about 3 – 5 pups per litter but it may have up 8 pups per litter. The cycle of deer mice last from 2 to 24 months and can be up to 8 years.
SIGN OF DEER MICE INFESTATION
We can recognize their presence by sighting as well as their burrows or gnawed objects. They are main signs which show deer mice’s activities.
MORE INFORMATION
Deer mice are harmless but they bring themselves a dangerous disease such as Hantavirus. This virus may develop when deer mouse urine or feces is disturbed. We need to be protected when handling feces. We should wear a OSHA which approved respirator with functioning cartridge and the feces and urine must be sterilized before handling