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

Description Brownish above, with darkish area in middle of back; dusky below. Tail about half total length; not sharply bicolored. Grooved upper incisors. L 4 1/4 –5 7/8" (107–150 mm); T 1 3/4–2 5/8" (45–68 mm); HF 5/8" (15–17 mm); Wt 3/8–1/2 oz (10–15 g).

Similar Species Fulvous Harvest Mouse has longer tail. House Mouse has ungrooved incisors.

Breeding Breeds spring – fall; several litters of 3–5 young each; gestation 21–22 days. Young are weaned and independent after 3 weeks.

Habitat Old fields; brushy areas; brier patches; broom sedges; low areas.

Range Southeastern U.S. from s Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware south through Kentucky, Tennessee, nw Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana to e Texas.

Discussion The Eastern Harvest Mouse can become locally abundant; there was one record of 90 per acre (220 per ha). It feeds on seeds and young sprouts, and probably also on invertebrates, storing surplus seeds in its nest or occasionally in an extra cache nearby. The Eastern Harvest Mouse can go for long periods without water, probably obtaining what it needs from food. This animal often builds its nest in low herbaceous or woody vegetation. Snakes, screech owls, kestrels, shrikes, and weasels are likely predators.