Meadow jumping mouse
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| Meadow jumping mouse | ||||||||||||||||
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| Zapus hudsonius (Zimmermann, 1780) |
The meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius) is North America's most common jumping mouse and the most widely distributed member of the subfamily Zapodinae.
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[edit] Distribution
The range of the meadow jumping mouse extends from southern Alaska to Labrador, and as far south as eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. It is found in the continental United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Populations have been found in New Mexico.
[edit] Description
This species has a very long tail (over 57 percent of its total length), which is scaly and sparsely haired. Meadow jumping mice have a course pelage of yellowish-brown to olive-brown on the upper parts, often with black-tipped hairs. The sides are yellowish-orange, and underparts and feet are white to pale yellow.
| Biological statistics (adult) | |
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| Length | 177-240 mm |
| Tail | 101–150 mm |
| Hind foot | 25–35 mm |
| Ear | 12-19 mm |
| Weight | 13–28 g (up to 35g before hibernation) |
The genus of the meadow jumping mouse, Zapus, is the only genus with the tooth formula I 1/1, C 0/0, P 1/0 M 3/3 = 18. This species is one of only three mammal species extant to have 18 teeth.
[edit] Behavior and habitat
Meadow jumping mice occupy a variety of semi-wooded and open habitats, preferring moist, mesic areas near streams or other sources of water. They are not common on tilled land.
When threatened, this species will leap distances in excess of one meter.
Meadow jumping mice are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, insects, fruit and fungi. Food selection varies with season. They consume one-half their weight in food daily.
Like all members of the genus Zapus, meadow jumping mice hibernate. In late summer, this species may add amounts of fat that slightly exceed 100 percent of its body weight. The fattest mice begin to hibernate in mid-September, with other members entering hibernation by the end of October as they accumulate sufficient stores of fat.
[edit] Reproduction
Breeding season begins as soon as females emerge from hibernation. Three main periods of breeding have been recorded, with young being born at three peaks in the summer: late June; mid- or late-July; and mid-August.
Gestation ranges from 17 to 19 days in non-lactating females. Nursing females will gestate for 20-21 days. Litters usually contain 5 or 6 young, though extremes of 1 to 9 young have been recorded.
[edit] Subspecies
The following is a list of recognized subspecies. The subspecies Zapus hudsonius preblei is considered "Threatened" under the United States Endangered Species Act.
- Zapus hudsonius acadicus
- Zapus hudsonius adamsi
- Zapus hudsonius alascensis
- Zapus hudsonius americanus
- Zapus hudsonius campestris
- Zapus hudsonius canadensis
- Zapus hudsonius hudsonius
- Zapus hudsonius preblei
- Zapus hudsonius transitionalis
[edit] References
- ^ Hafner, D.J. & Yensen, E. (Rodent Specialist Group) (1996). Zapus hudsonius. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
- Hazard, E. B. 1982. The mammals of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. pp. 239
- Jones Jr., J. K., D. M. Armstrong, J. R. Choate. 1985. Guide to mammals of the plains states. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. pp. 224
- Jones Jr., J. K., E. C. Birney. 1988. Handbook of mammals of the north-central states. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. pp. 106-107.
- Morrison, J. L. 1992. Persistence of the meadow jumping mouse, Zapus hudsonius luteus, in New Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 37:3. pp. 308-311.
- Nolan K. S., J. M. Peirce. 1996 A Survey of small mammals in Wood-Tikchik State Park, Alaska. Northwestern Naturalist 77:2. pp. 44-45.
- Schwartz, C. W., E. R. Schwartz. 2001. The wild mammals of Missouri. University of Missouri Press, Columbia, Missouri, USA. pp. 262-267.
- Whitaker, Jr., J. O. 1972. Zapus hudsonius. Mammalian Species No. 11. pp. 1-7.
