Meadow jumping mouse
| Meadow jumping mouse | ||||||||||
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Meadow jumping mouse |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Zapus hudsonius | ||||||||||
| ( Zimmermann , 1780) |
The meadow jumping mouse ( Zapus hudsonius ), also called field jumping mouse , is a medium-sized member of the rodent order with a body length of 7 to 8 centimeters and a tail length of 10 to 15 centimeters . The weight of the individual animals can be up to 29 grams.
Appearance
These animals have a light brown, rough fur, the back is darker. The abdomen and fore and hind limbs are colored white. The long tail is dark brown and strongly fringed at the end. The forelimbs are short and the hind legs are long and powerfully built. The head is short and sloping flat. The ears are large and stick out slightly from the head.
distribution and habitat
The meadow jumping mouse is found in Canada and the north and northeast of the central United States . She inhabits the open grasslands and forests there.
Way of life and reproduction
The animals feed on plant seeds, fruits, mushrooms and insects that they find on the ground. They are mostly nocturnal, but in forests they can also be found during the day. In the summer months they build their nests out of grass and leaves in the thick undergrowth. The strong hind legs allow jumps of up to 2 meters to escape their enemies. During their hibernation from October to April, they lie curled up in structures underground. A thick pad of fat under the skin serves as a food reserve during the rest period. The mating season begins shortly after waking up from hibernation. The meadow jumping mouse usually gives birth to 4 to 5 young 2 or 3 times a year in an earthwork during the summer months. The gestation period for females is approximately 18 days. The life expectancy of the animals is 1 to 2 years.
Hazards and protective measures
Although some subspecies are endangered, the species is not yet endangered overall and is classified by the IUCN as 
(= least concern - not endangered).
Web links
- Zapus hudsonius inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015.4. Posted by: Linzey, AV & NatureServe (Hammerson, G.), 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
- Whitaker, John O. Jr .: Zapus hudsonius (PDF). Mammalian Species No. 11. American Society of Mammalogists, 1972.
literature
- The great world empire of the animals . S. 180, 181, Planet Media AG, Zug 1992, ISBN 3-8247-8614-1
- Encyclopedia of Mammals . S. 660, 661, Könnemann, 2003, ISBN 3-89731-928-4
- Wilhelm owner (ed.), Erna Mohr: Encyclopedia of the animals. Volume 2, Weltbild, Augsburg 1991, ISBN 978-3-89350-361-2 , p. 431.