Big-eared deermouse, Florida deermouse, Gopher mouse
Florida mice have soft and silky pelage that is brown above and orange on the cheeks, shoulders, and lower sides. Underparts are white. The young are gray. Florida mice have relatively large, nearly naked ears, a relatively short tail approximately 80% of total body length, and large hind feet. There is no difference in appearance between males and females.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withFlorida mice are found in North America. It is the only mammal genus endemic only to Florida. The species occurs from north-central Florida south to Highlands County and Sarasota County. It is found along the Atlantic coast from St. Johns County south to Miami-Dade County. An isolated population is found in the Florida panhandle at Franklin County, Florida. These mice inhabit sand pine scrub and the high pinelands of turkey oak and longleaf pine. They are also found in the slash pine and turkey oak habitat of the southern ridge sandhills, in scrubby flatlands, and in coastal scrub associations. Populations are greater in the scrub and flatlands than in the highlands. Florida mice largest populations may occur within Ocala National Forest and the scrubs along Lake Wales Ridge.
Florida mice are nocturnal rodents. They are active throughout the year except on especially cold nights. These mice can climb, but they are primarily terrestrial. Florida mice like to share long, deep burrows of the Gopher tortoise. Mice make nest chambers, small side passages, sometimes a pad of oak leaves and wiregrasses for chamber floors, and small chimney openings in the roof of the burrow. They use these openings, the main entrance, and side passages for entrance to and exit from the burrow. In the absence of Gopher tortoise burrows, Florida mice will use burrows of the Oldfield mouse or will make their own. Florida mice communicate with the help of shrills and high pitched squeaks. When excited, they thump the ground rapidly and make a drumming noise with their front feet.
Florida mice are omnivores. They feed on acorns when available, insects, seeds, nuts, fungi, and other plant material and vertebrates.
Little is known about the mating habits of Florida mice. They breed throughout the year with a peak between July and December and a lesser peak in January and February. Gestation lasts around 23-24 days. Females produce 2 litters on average with 2-4 pups. The young are born in nests in the burrow. These mice dig side burrows off the main burrow of the Gopher tortoise, line them with shredded plant material, and use them as nurseries. Newborn weigh 1.9-2.9 g (0.067–0.102 oz). Teeth begin appearing on the fourth day. The young become active and agile by the 10th day, and the eyes open by the 16th day. Mothers nurse their young non-stop for the first two weeks of life. Weaning occurs at 3-4 weeks, and the young display adult behavior at this time.
One of the main the main treats to Florida mice is the destruction of their habitat. These mice occur in a restricted habitat in the United States and that habitat is threatened not only by agricultural and real estate development but by wildfire suppression. Habitat decline is expected to continue into the future. Florida mice are also dependent upon Gopher tortoise burrows, but disease and habitat loss are responsible for decline in the tortoise population. Red imported fire ants are another potential threat to Florida mice as they threaten both tortoise and mouse populations.
According to IUCN, the Florida mouse is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.
