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—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Acorns
- Insects
- Berries
Predators
- Owls
- Snakes
- Foxes
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, domestic predators, and extreme winter weather
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed forests, brushy fields, and suburban woodlots
Life spanTypically 1 year in the wild, up to 3 to 5 years in captivity
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderRodentia
- FamilyCricetidae
- GenusPeromyscus
- Speciesperomyscus leucopus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Can carry Lyme disease-bearing ticks and hantavirus; avoid handling wild individuals.
- Why it is dangerous
- Serves as a primary reservoir for Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis, and can shed hantavirus in its droppings.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Distinguished by its pure white belly and feet, large ears, and a tail shorter than its body.
- What to do
- Do not handle live mice or touch nesting materials; clean infested areas with disinfectant while wearing a mask.
Responsible observation
- 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.
Parasite Photo by Scott Bauer. / Public domain · cc0
Competitor (c) Gilles Gonthier, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative Seney Natural History Association / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
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