Pocket mice
Pocket mice are small rodents belonging to the family Heteromyidae, primarily found in the deserts, grasslands, and rainforests of the southwestern United States and parts of Central and Northern South America. There are over 25 species of pocket mice classified under two genera: Perognathus and Chaetodipus. These animals are distinguished by their cheek pouches, which they use to gather and store food, primarily seeds, vegetation, and insects. They play a crucial role in their ecosystems, with their populations significantly influenced by the availability of seeds.
Pocket mice exhibit interesting behaviors related to food scarcity; during times of low seed availability, they may halt breeding and become protective of their food stores. Most species live in burrows where they nest and store food, and the breeding season aligns with food abundance, with females capable of having up to two litters per year. Notably, the Pacific pocket mouse is currently classified as endangered. The average lifespan of pocket mice is around three years, although some have been known to live beyond nine years in captivity.
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Pocket mice
Pocket mice generally eat seeds. When seeds are scarce, pocket mice do not breed and become protective of their storage piles of seeds.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Heteromyidae
Genus: Various (see below)
Species: Various (see below)
In the subfamily Perognathinae, there are over 25 pocket mice species in 2 genera—Perognathus and Chaetodipus. Species in the Chaetodipus genus, like the long-tailed pocket mouse (Chaetodipus formosus) and the desert pocket mouse (Chaetodipus penicillatus), have rough, coarse fur. Perognathus species, like the silky pocket mouse (Perognathus flavus) and the plains pocket mouse (Perognathus flavescens), have soft, shiny fur and small feet. All pocket mice have cheek pouches for gathering food and whiskers that help them find their way around.
Heteromys, the only genus in the subfamily Heteromyinae, consists of more than 15 species of spiny pocket mice. Some species include Gaumer's spiny pocket mouse (Heteromys gaumeri) and Salvin's spiny pocket mouse (Heteromys salvini). Species in this group are larger than those in the subfamily Perognathinae, weighing 1 1/3 to 3 ounces (37 to 85 grams) and measuring 4 1/3 to 7 inches (11 to 18 centimeters).
Pocket mice live in the deserts, shortgrass prairies, grasslands, and rainforests of the southwestern United States and central and northern South America. They live in areas where they can find food. Pocket mice eat seeds, vegetation, and insects. They often store seeds for times when seeds are scarce. When those times come, pocket mice are protective of their stored food. Seeds play a large role in determining the size of the population of pocket mice. If seeds are scarce, pocket mice populations decrease because fewer babies are born and some pocket mice die.
Most pocket mice burrow into the ground where they store food and nest.
Breeding season for the pocket mice occurs when food is abundant. The gestation period (duration of pregnancy) is about one month. The female then gives birth to up to 9 young. Females may have two litters in years of ample food.
The Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus) is endangered.
Pocket mice live around 3 years, though the longest recorded lifespan of a pocket mouse in human care was over nine years.
Bibliography
Meyer, P. "Chaetodipus Fallax." Animal Diversity Web, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Chaetodipus‗fallax. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
Schiebenes, K. "Chaetodipus Baileyi." Animal Diversity Web, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Chaetodipus‗baileyi. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
"Tiny Mouse, Big Deal." San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, 21 Feb. 2023, stories.sandiegozoo.org/2023/02/21/tiny-mouse-big-deal. Accessed 24 Sept. 2024.