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The term "harvest mouse" refers to two distinct groups of small rodents: the American harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys) and the Old World harvest mouse (Micromys minutus).1

American Harvest Mice:
* Found from southern Canada to northern South America.1
* Inhabit diverse environments like prairies, forests, and cultivated fields.1
* Build nests on the ground or elevated in vegetation.1
* Their diet includes seeds, fruits, and invertebrates.1
* Belong to the mouse family Muridae within the order Rodentia.1

Old World Harvest Mouse:
* Native to Europe and Asia.1
* Among the smallest rodents, weighing less than 7 grams.1
* Constructs nests in tall vegetation or underground.1
* Eats seeds, vegetation, insects, and bird eggs.1
* Also belongs to the mouse family Muridae.1

Both types are agile climbers and are primarily nocturnal.1

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. harvest mouse
  2. harvest mouse
  3. deer mouse

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