Family: Muridae, Mice and Rats view all from this family

Description Golden cinnamon above; white below, often tinged with yellowish brown. Tail long. Southern individuals generally smaller. L 5–7 1/2" (127–190 mm); T 2 5/8–3 3/4" (68–97 mm); HF 5/8–3/4" (17–20 mm); E 3/8–1" (11–26 mm); Wt 2 3/8–3 1/4 oz (68–93 g).

Similar Species All species of deer mice are brownish rather than golden cinnamon above.

Breeding Breeds mid-March to early October in e Tennessee (and presumably in most of its range), peaking in late spring and early autumn; breeds year-round in Louisiana, peaking late autumn–early winter; several litters per year, as little as 25 days apart, of 1–4 young. Newborn is 2" (51 mm) long, weighs 1/16 oz (2.7 g).

Habitat Greenbrier thickets; boulder-strewn hemlock slopes; brushy hedgerows; swamps.

Range Extreme e Texas, se Oklahoma, s Missouri, and s Illinois to Atlantic Coast; s Virginia south to mid-peninsular Florida.

Discussion This highly arboreal, gregarious mouse often climbs trees to 30 feet (9 m) or more, running about the high branches with ease and using its long, prehensile tail for balance and support. It appears to favor dense, brushy undergrowth and is often seen in honeysuckle, greenbrier, or grape vines, or, in Florida, in Spanish moss. The Golden Mouse has well-developed internal cheek pouches that it stuffs with foods for transport. Its diet includes acorns and other types of seeds, such as those of sumac, poison ivy, greenbrier, and wild cherry, and many invertebrates. Male and female Golden Mice in captivity occupied a nest together, but the male would not enter the nest after the young were born. Larger nests may provide quarters for several individuals; up to eight have been found in a single nest. This species also makes smaller structures that serve mainly as feeding shelters.