Family: Dipodidae, Jumping Mice view all from this family

Description Yellow sides; dark band down middle of back; belly white, sometimes tinged yellow. Long tail darker above, whitish below. Very large hindfeet. 4 moliform teeth per side, the first reduced. L 8 3/4–9 3/8" (221–238 mm); T 5 1/8–5 7/8" (131–149 mm); HF 1 1/4–1 3/8" (31–34 mm).

Similar Species Deer mice have much shorter tails and smaller hindfeet.

Breeding Mates soon after emergence from hibernation; gestation about 21 days; 1 or 2 litters per year.

Habitat Primarily moist fields, thickets, and woodlands, especially where grasses, sedges, or other green plant cover is dense; grassy edges of streams, ponds, and lakes.

Range Southwestern British Columbia south through nw California.

Discussion The habits of the Pacific Jumping Mouse are presumably very similar to those of the Western Jumping Mouse. All three Zapus species look much alike and live in similar habitats. All feed heavily on underground fungi.