Mammal · GBIF taxon 2438019
Peromyscus leucopus
peromyscus leucopusAlso known as Woodmouse, Wood Mouse, White-footed Deermouse
White-footed mice are agile, nocturnal rodents distinguished by their clean white underparts, white feet, and large, prominent eyes and ears. They are skilled climbers that build nests in tree cavities, abandoned bird nests, or brush piles, where they raise multiple litters each year. These abundant mammals play a critical role in forest food webs and serve as the primary reservoir host for Lyme disease.
NocturnalForest-dwellingAdaptable
1 / 7- diet
- Omnivorous, feeding on seeds, nuts, berries, insects, and fungi
- family
- Cricetidae
- threats
- Habitat fragmentation, domestic predators, and extreme winter weather
- life Span
- Typically 1 year in the wild, up to 3 to 5 years in captivity
LC
Can carry Lyme disease-bearing ticks and hantavirus; avoid handling wild individuals.
Serves as a primary reservoir for Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis, and can shed hantavirus in its droppings.
Do not handle live mice or touch nesting materials; clean infested areas with disinfectant while wearing a mask.- Listen for drumming: They sometimes rapidly drum their front paws on dry leaves to communicate.
- Check nesting boxes: Look inside birdhouses in winter to find their cozy, grass-lined communal nests.
- Observe at night: Use a red-light flashlight to watch them forage without startling them.