When startled from a hiding place, the Meadow Jumping Mouse may take a few long jumps of 2 to 3 feet (60–90 cm), then shorter ones, but generally it soon stops and remains motionless, which is its best means of eluding predators. By the end of October, nearly all individuals of this species have retired to hibernation nests of shredded grass in a protected place, such as under a board or clump of grass, or in a bank, mound, hollow log, or other raised area. Apparently many later-born, smaller mice, unable to accumulate adequate fat reserves, perish during hibernation. In spring, caterpillars, beetles, and other insects constitute about half of this rodent’s diet. It feeds on the seeds of grasses and many other green plants as they ripen, either by cutting off grasses at the base, then pulling the stem down to reach the head, or by climbing a stalk, cutting off the head, and carrying it to the ground in its mouth. In summer and fall, the subterranean fungus Endogone forms about an eighth of this animal’s diet. The Meadow Jumping Mouse stores no food, but in the two weeks before entering hibernation, it puts on about 1/4 ounce (6 g) of fat. Males emerge first, in late April or early May; one to two weeks later, females emerge and the first mating takes place.

description Brownish back; yellowish sides; white belly. Long tail with tip usually not white. 1 small molariform tooth precedes 3 large molariform teeth. L 7 3/8"–10 1/8" (187–255 mm); T 4 1/4–6 1/8" (108–155 mm); HF 1 1/8–1 3/8" (28–35 mm); Wt 3/8–1 oz (13–28 g).

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