Family: Muridae, Mice and Rats view all from this family
Description Reddish brown above; white below. Tail short-haired, usually bicolored, slightly less than half total length. 6 pads on sole of foot, as in all deer mice. L 5 5/8 –8 1/8" (142–206 mm); T 2 3/4 –4 1/2" (71–116 mm); HF 3/4–1" (20–26 mm); E 3/8–7/8" (10–21 mm); Wt 3/4–1 5/8 oz (20–46 g).
Endangered Status The Key Largo Cotton Mouse, a subspecies of the Cotton Mouse, is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered in Florida, where it lives on Key Largo. This mouse resides in a particular type of habitat called a tropical hardwood hammock, and mainly in those with mature trees. Many of these woodlands have been destroyed in the Keys to make way for residential and commericial development. Some of the mouse's remaining hammocks have come under the protection of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Department of Natural Resources, and both agencies intend to acquire more of this critical habitat.
Similar Species White-footed Mouse is slightly smaller, usually with smaller hindfoot. Florida Mouse has 5 pads on sole of foot. Deer Mouse is smaller. Oldfield Mouse is smaller and lighter in color.
Breeding Mates throughout year, with a decline in activity during summer and a peak in late autumn and early winter; several litters of 1–7 young each. Newborn weighs 1/16 oz (2.2 g).
Habitat Bottomland hardwood forest and other woodlands; swamps; brushlands; rocky areas; beaches.
Range Southeastern U.S. from e Texas and se Oklahoma east to se Virginia, e North Carolina, e South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Discussion A nocturnal rodent, the Cotton Mouse is omnivorous, eating many invertebrates as well as seeds, fruits, and nuts. A skillful climber, it runs up trees the way gray squirrels do and is a fairly strong swimmer. Both of these skills are useful adaptations for the southern swamps where this species is most abundant. Cotton and White-footed mice are very similar and can hybridize in the laboratory; in the field, however, hybridization is apparently rare. Cotton Mice have been known to invade buildings. A Florida subspecies is classified as endangered.
