meadow jumping mouse
Quick Summary
The term "meadow jumping mouse" refers to a specific species of rodent found in North America, belonging to the subfamily Zapodinae. These small mammals, weighing between 13 to 26 grams, are characterized by their long hind legs and a tail that is longer than their body, which aids in balance during their powerful leaps of up to 4 meters when alarmed.12
Jumping mice have soft, glossy fur that is brown on top, rust-colored on the sides, and white underneath. They are nocturnal and build spherical nests from vegetation in abandoned burrows or under brush. Their diet is varied, including fungi, fruits, seeds, invertebrates, and sometimes small fish. They hibernate underground during winter.1
The meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius) inhabits grasslands and wet meadows across North America. Other North American species include the woodland, Pacific, and western jumping mice, while the Sichuan jumping mouse is found in China. These rodents are classified in the family Dipodidae, distinct from true mice.1
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