Family: Muridae, Mice and Rats view all from this family
Description Occurs over a large geographic range and range of habitats; physical description varies with location. Body brownish or reddish to grayish, often with darker stripe down middle of back; white below. Tail similarly bicolored, nearly half total length. Large ears. Juvenile gray above; white below. L 5 1/8–8 1/8" (130–205 mm); T 2 1/2–3 7/8" (63–100 mm); HF 3/4 –7/8" (19–24 mm); E 1/2" (13–14 mm); Wt 3/8 –1 1/2 oz (10–43 g).
Warning White-footed Mice are carriers of the ticks that cause Lyme disease. These ticks are tiny and their nymphs are almost microscopic; both nymphs, active May through July, and adults, active on warm days from August through May, can be infectious. They inhabit woods and fields, and occur on both deer and mice. Lyme disease is a dangerous bacterial illness. Initial symptoms vary, but about 75 to 80 percent of all victims develop a circular, expanding, bulls-eye-shaped red rash around the tick bite, up to 35 days after the bite. Other symptoms include stiff neck, headache, dizziness, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, joint pain, and general weakness. Antibiotics are most effective in early stages of infection. Untreated Lyme disease can be difficult to cure, and may cause chronic arthritis, memory loss, and severe headaches.
Similar Species Deer Mouse is often very similar and can be difficult to distinguish. Woodland form of Deer Mouse is generally larger, with longer hindfeet and tail. Prairie form is smaller, with shorter tail, smaller hindfeet. Oldfield Mouse is smaller, lighter colored. Cotton Mouse is slightly larger, with larger hindfoot.
Breeding Breeding peaks in spring and fall; litters of 3–5 young; gestation is a minimum of 22 days.
Habitat Primarily wooded and brushy areas, but also many cultivated and open habitats, especially adjacent to woods.
Range Eastern U.S.: from e Montana, n Colorado, and c Arizona east to mid-Maine and south to w North Carolina, n South Carolina, n Georgia, and n Alabama.
Discussion The White-footed Mouse is primarily nocturnal and active year-round, although it may remain in its nest during extremely cold weather. A few of these mice may hibernate. This species is semi-arboreal, often climbing in trees; the shrub and lower tree strata of its area are often part of its home range. The White-footed Mouse uses its tail for balance when climbing. Omnivorous, it feeds on nuts, seeds, and fruits, as well as beetles, caterpillars, and other insects. Two favorite foods are the centers of black cherry pits and jewelweed seeds, the latter coloring the stomach contents turquoise blue. The White-footed Mouse stores caches of nuts and seeds in autumn near the nest, often in a bird nest, the abandoned burrow of another small mammal, or a building. When a nest becomes soiled, the mouse abandons it and builds a new one in a different location. An alarmed individual will drum its forefeet rapidly.
