Deer Mouse – 11/26/08
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 11/26/08
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Bluebird house in field near Gavins Pond Road
Common Name: Deer Mouse
Scientific Name: Peromyscus maniculatus
Comments: Deer mice sometimes take up residence in bird houses. They can live up to five years in captivity but probably only live about a year in the wild. This shorter natural life span is primarily due to the very large number of predators that take and consume deer mice. These predators include foxes, coyotes, snakes, owls, hawks, and many other species of birds. In the absence of these predators, deer mice populations can become explosively large leading to serious environmental damage and degradation.
More Information: Animal Diversity Web