Did you know?
These social, diurnal animals are the smallest mice in our temperate zone (body length: 5.5–7.5 cm, weight: 5–7 g). They build their nests well off the ground, amidst the straws of cereal crops in fields and meadows. When climbing they use their prehensile tail for support. If danger is looming, they freeze as a camouflage strategy or drop to the ground.
Characteristics
| Classification | Order: rodents, family: murids, subfamily: murinae (Old World rats and mice) |
|---|---|
| Diet | Grasses, seeds, herb seeds as well as insects and their larvae |
| Habitat | Meadows, reed beds, fields of cereal crops and shrublands |
| Reproduction | 5–9 litters per year, gestation period: 17–18 days, 5–7 offspring per litter; weaning 18–20 days; sexually mature at 5–7 weeks |
Status according to Red List
More information you will get on the web page of the IUCN Red List.
