Reithrodontomys fulvescens J. A. Allen, 1894

Fulvous harvest mouse

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

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General Description

Description

Source and Additional Information
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Smithsonian's North American Mammals external link
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Smithsonian Institution - North American Mammals external link
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The fulvous Harvest Mouse is a nocturnal species that lives in grassy fields where there are shrubs. These Mice are good climbers, and build baseball-sized nests up off the ground, in vegetation. Winter nests are sturdier than summer nests. When a nest is occupied—often by two Mice—the one or two entrances are plugged. Fulvous Harvest Mice eat invertebrates when they are available, during the spring and summer, and switch to seeds in fall and winter. Along the Texas coast, where invertebrates are available year-round, they are the dominant item in the diet. Males and females seem to travel together, which suggests they may pair-bond in monogamous relationships, a rarity for mammals. These Mice live for about a year, and seldom longer than 14 months.

Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
References
  • Allen, J.A., 1894.  Descriptions of ten new North American mammals, and remarks on others, p. 319.  Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 13:317-332.
"Reithrodontomys fulvescens J. A. Allen, 1894". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/328434". Accessed 21 Mar 2010.