Mammal · GBIF taxon 5219833
Harvest Mouse
Micromys minutusAlso known as Eurasian Harvest Mouse, Tiny Harvest Mouse
Eurasian harvest mice are agile acrobats of tall grasses, using prehensile tails as fifth limbs to grip thin stems while foraging for seeds and insects. Females weave intricate, spherical breeding nests out of shredded grass blades suspended well above ground level in dense vegetation. Modern mechanized farming and hedgerow loss pose challenges for these tiny rodents, making untouched field margins and wetland reed beds essential sanctuaries.
Prehensile TailNocturnalTiny Rodent
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Cereal Seeds
- Aphids
- Wild Berries
Predators
- Barn Owl
- Common Kestrel
- Least Weasel
ThreatsAgricultural intensification, loss of hedgerows, pesticides
HabitatsReed beds, long grass, cereal fields, and hedgerows
Life span1–1.5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyMuridae
- SpeciesMicromys minutus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from a distance; avoid handling to prevent distress or defensive nips.
Responsible observation
- Spotting Nests: Look for tennis-ball-sized woven grass spheres suspended high in reed beds and tall grass during summer.
- Quiet Observation: Tread lightly along field margins, as these timid rodents flee down stem corridors at the slightest vibration.
- Lens Selection: Use a telephoto lens to photograph their climbing movements without trampling delicate field-margin cover.
Competitor Christian Fischer / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) caroline legg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Frequent Companion Close Relative
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