Woodland jumping mouse
Encyclopedia
The Woodland jumping mouse (Napaeozapus insignis) is a species of jumping mouse found in North America. It can hop surprisingly long distances given its small size. The mouse is an extraordinary part of the rodent family. Its scientific name in Latin is Napaeozapus insignis, meaning glen or wooded dell + big or strong feet + a distinguishing mark. This mammal can jump up to 3 m (9.8 ft) when scared, using its extremely strong feet and long tail
.
, and, in one of the two North American genera, Zapus, by 4 upper cheek teeth. Incisor
s are compressed and deeply grooved. These animals are common and noted for very long tails and long hind legs adapted for leaping. They live in forests, meadows, and swamps and are profound hibernators
.
The Woodland jumping mouse was originally classified as Zapus insignis in 1891, but differences detected in dental morphology, ear ossicles, and the baculum
resulted in the creation of two new genera, Napaeozapus and Euzapus. At present (2010), N. insignis is in the family Dipodidae
but some systematists place woodland jumping mice in their own family, Zapodidae
. Dipodidae is divided into seven subfamilies with jumping mice in the subfamily, Zapodinae.
to northern Quebec
and south through the Appalachians to northern Georgia
.
Populations are most dense in cool, moist boreal
woodlands of spruce
-fir and hemlock
-hardwood
s where streams flow from woods to meadows with bankside touch-me-nots (Impatiens
) and in situations where meadow
and forest intermix and water and thick ground cover are available.
The Woodland jumping mouse is a medium-sized rodent and is similar to the Zapus
mice but differs in having a white tail tip, brighter colors, and the lack of a small premolar in the upper jaw. Its sides are yellowish or reddish-brown peppered with black hairs. Dark-tipped hairs are intermixed with the dark brown dorsal
band running from nose to tail. The underparts and feet are white. The species is darker in the south. The mouse has precise thermoregulation
when active, deep seasonal hibernation
, a high lower critical temperature, and a poor ability to tolerate high ambient temperatures which are likely adaptations to living in the cold.
The small, high-crowned skull displays large, oval infraorbital foramina, small auditory bullae, a short and broad palate
, and narrow zygomatic arch
es. Three molariform teeth are present, premolar
s are absent, and grooved incisor
s are orange or yellow. Molar
s are rooted and semi-hypsodont
. The tail is dark brown above and creamy white below with a white tip, and is sparsely haired, thin, tapered, and scaly. It is approximately 60% of total body length. Tail length is made possible by increased number and length of tail vertebrae. Long hind legs with elongated ankle bones and long toe bones make it possible for the mouse to leap and jump.
had stomach contents containing the fungi of the genus Endogone
and related genera. Endogone is so small the mice presumably locate it by olfaction
. Fungi represent about a third of the New York diet, seeds 25%, lepidoptrous larvae and various fruits about 10%, and beetles about 7.5%. Touch-me-not seeds are found in the diet. Food is not consumed during hibernation
and mice having insufficient fat reserves do not survive.
eat lots of food to restore body weight and fat. Some mice start to hibernate as early as September, but most wait until late November. The mice gather food and fat for more than 2 weeks before they plan to hibernate. During hibernation, body temperatures usually drop from 37 to 2 °C (98.6 to 35.6 F). Even during their hibernation, they wake up about every 2 weeks to urinate or eat from their food stashes. Only about 1/3 of all mice that enter hibernation survive; the rest either die from hypothermia
or are eaten by predators. Some mice do not enter hibernation, but move to nearby peoples' houses to live inside the walls, in old furniture, or cabinets. They eat scraps or foods that were left over. The mice that do hibernate and survive usually re-emerge around April.
Little is known about territory size and territorial behavior because observation is difficult in the wild. Males are thought to have home ranges between 0.4 hectare and females between 0.4 hectare with ranges of the sexes overlapping. High numbers of mice are attracted to sudden and temporary food supplies (such as ripened berries) but what appears to be a colony established in the vicinity of the food may only be a temporary camp while the supply lasts. The average population density, in favorable habitat, is 7.5 per ha
. Population density estimates range though from 0.64 to 59 per ha.
about 29 days. The three to six pink-skinned and hairless young are born in late June or early July. The eyes open about the 26th day, weaning occurs about the 30th day, and by the 34th the young look like adults. Some mice may have a second litter in August.
The mating season for the woodland jumping mouse starts at the beginning of summer (May) and ends at the end of summer (August). Females usually have 2 or more litters a year, each containing 1–12 juveniles. The female nurses the young while the male gets food to feed the young. The young first leave the nest after 16 days, leaving permanently after 34 days or less. About 90% of young are eaten, every 1 out of 10 lives.
Parental care is little understood because observation in the wild is difficult and females in captivity normally commit infanticide
shortly after giving birth. Parental care devolves upon the female rather than the male whose role in care of the young is unknown. Mothers and their young share the nest and mothers have been observed covering its entrance during the day. The young have a longer developmental period than most small rodents, and parental care consequently covers a longer period of time in comparison with other small rodents.
s, timber rattlesnakes, bobcat
s, broad-banded copperheads, American mink
, weasels, and striped skunk
s are known predators.
A number of mites
and some fleas parasitize the mouse but are rarely seen in their adult stage. The mite Glycyphagus newyorkensis in its hypopus stage does not feed on the mouse but simply 'hops a ride', and presumably drops off to reach adulthood in the nest.
The mouse probably has a lifespan of two years but some individuals may live three or four years.
, United States Federal List, or CITES. No major threats exist at present (2010) but land development reduces suitable habitat for species hibernation
, and insufficient layers of insulating snowfall may result in high death rates during the winter. Southern populations are already confined to higher elevations in their range and are threatened by rising temperatures. More research is needed to evaluate and assess current distribution, species abundance, and potential effects of threats. No conservation measures have been undertaken at present to address specific needs of populations in state and national parks. The IUCN has listed the species as Least Concern
, because the mouse is common and widespread, populations are considered stable, and no major threats exist at present.
Tail
The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...
.
Taxonomy
Representatives of the family Dipodidae are found in the northern regions of the Old and New Worlds, and are characterized by very large infraorbital foramenInfraorbital foramen
Above the canine fossa is the infraorbital foramen, the end of the infraorbital canal; it transmits the infraorbital artery, vein, and infraorbital nerve.-External links: *...
, and, in one of the two North American genera, Zapus, by 4 upper cheek teeth. Incisor
Incisor
Incisors are the first kind of tooth in heterodont mammals. They are located in the premaxilla above and mandible below.-Function:...
s are compressed and deeply grooved. These animals are common and noted for very long tails and long hind legs adapted for leaping. They live in forests, meadows, and swamps and are profound hibernators
Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate...
.
The Woodland jumping mouse was originally classified as Zapus insignis in 1891, but differences detected in dental morphology, ear ossicles, and the baculum
Baculum
The baculum is a bone found in the penis of most mammals. It is absent in humans, but present in other primates, such as the gorilla and chimpanzee.The bone aids in sexual intercourse.-Purpose:...
resulted in the creation of two new genera, Napaeozapus and Euzapus. At present (2010), N. insignis is in the family Dipodidae
Dipodidae
The Dipodidae, or dipodids, are a family of rodents found across the northern hemisphere. This family includes over 50 species among the 16 genera....
but some systematists place woodland jumping mice in their own family, Zapodidae
Zapodidae
Jumping mice are a group of mouse-like rodents in North America and China.Although mouse-like in general appearance, these rodents are distinguished by their elongated hind limbs, and, typically, by the presence of four pairs of cheek-teeth in each jaw...
. Dipodidae is divided into seven subfamilies with jumping mice in the subfamily, Zapodinae.
Subspecies
Five subspecies of woodland jumping mice were identified by Whitaker in 1972:- Napaeozapus insignis insignis in New BrunswickNew BrunswickNew Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
- N. i. abietorum in OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
- N. i. saquenayensis in QuebecQuebecQuebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
- Napaeozapus insignis roanensis in North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
- N. i. frutectanus in eastern WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and in MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
Distribution and habitat
The Woodland jumping mouse occurs throughout northeastern North America from central ManitobaManitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
to northern Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and south through the Appalachians to northern Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
Populations are most dense in cool, moist boreal
Boreal ecosystem
The term boreal is usually applied to ecosystems localized in subarctic and subantarctic zones, although Austral is also used for the latter....
woodlands of spruce
Spruce
A spruce is a tree of the genus Picea , a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the earth. Spruces are large trees, from tall when mature, and can be distinguished by their whorled branches and conical...
-fir and hemlock
Tsuga
Tsuga is a genus of conifers in the family Pinaceae. The common name hemlock is derived from a perceived similarity in the smell of its crushed foliage to that of the unrelated plant poison hemlock....
-hardwood
Hardwood
Hardwood is wood from angiosperm trees . It may also be used for those trees themselves: these are usually broad-leaved; in temperate and boreal latitudes they are mostly deciduous, but in tropics and subtropics mostly evergreen.Hardwood contrasts with softwood...
s where streams flow from woods to meadows with bankside touch-me-nots (Impatiens
Impatiens
Impatiens is a genus of about 850–1,000 species of flowering plants, widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and tropics. Together with the puzzling Hydrocera triflora, this genus makes up the family Balsaminaceae...
) and in situations where meadow
Meadow
A meadow is a field vegetated primarily by grass and other non-woody plants . The term is from Old English mædwe. In agriculture a meadow is grassland which is not grazed by domestic livestock but rather allowed to grow unchecked in order to make hay...
and forest intermix and water and thick ground cover are available.
Description
Zapus
Zapus is a genus of North American jumping mice. It is the only genus whose members have the dental formula: Zapus are the only extant mammals with a total of 18 teeth ....
mice but differs in having a white tail tip, brighter colors, and the lack of a small premolar in the upper jaw. Its sides are yellowish or reddish-brown peppered with black hairs. Dark-tipped hairs are intermixed with the dark brown dorsal
Dorsum (biology)
In anatomy, the dorsum is the upper side of animals that typically run, fly, or swim in a horizontal position, and the back side of animals that walk upright. In vertebrates the dorsum contains the backbone. The term dorsal refers to anatomical structures that are either situated toward or grow...
band running from nose to tail. The underparts and feet are white. The species is darker in the south. The mouse has precise thermoregulation
Thermoregulation
Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when the surrounding temperature is very different...
when active, deep seasonal hibernation
Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate...
, a high lower critical temperature, and a poor ability to tolerate high ambient temperatures which are likely adaptations to living in the cold.
The small, high-crowned skull displays large, oval infraorbital foramina, small auditory bullae, a short and broad palate
Palate
The palate is the roof of the mouth in humans and other mammals. It separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. A similar structure is found in crocodilians, but, in most other tetrapods, the oral and nasal cavities are not truly separate. The palate is divided into two parts, the anterior...
, and narrow zygomatic arch
Zygomatic arch
The zygomatic arch or cheek bone is formed by the zygomatic process of temporal bone and the temporal process of the zygomatic bone , the two being united by an oblique suture; the tendon of the Temporalis passes medial to the arch to gain insertion into the coronoid process...
es. Three molariform teeth are present, premolar
Premolar
The premolar teeth or bicuspids are transitional teeth located between the canine and molar teeth. In humans, there are two premolars per quadrant, making eight premolars total in the mouth. They have at least two cusps. Premolars can be considered as a 'transitional tooth' during chewing, or...
s are absent, and grooved incisor
Incisor
Incisors are the first kind of tooth in heterodont mammals. They are located in the premaxilla above and mandible below.-Function:...
s are orange or yellow. Molar
Molar (tooth)
Molars are the rearmost and most complicated kind of tooth in most mammals. In many mammals they grind food; hence the Latin name mola, "millstone"....
s are rooted and semi-hypsodont
Hypsodont
Hypsodont dentition is characterized by high-crowned teeth and enamel which extends past the gum line. This provides extra material for wear and tear. Some examples of animals with hypsodont dentition are cows, horses and deer; all animals that feed on gritty, fibrous material. The opposite...
. The tail is dark brown above and creamy white below with a white tip, and is sparsely haired, thin, tapered, and scaly. It is approximately 60% of total body length. Tail length is made possible by increased number and length of tail vertebrae. Long hind legs with elongated ankle bones and long toe bones make it possible for the mouse to leap and jump.
| Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Length (nose to tail tip) | 205 millimetre |
| Tail | 115 millimetre |
| Weight | 17 gram |
| Basal metabolic rate Basal metabolic rate Basal Metabolic Rate , and the closely related resting metabolic rate , is the amount of daily energy expended by humans and other animals at rest. Rest is defined as existing in a neutrally temperate environment while in the post-absorptive state... |
1.80 cm^3 oxygen/hour (average) |
| Measurements of 40 Adults from New York | |
| Length | 227 mm (8.9 in) 210 millimetre |
| Tail | 129.5 mm (5.1 in) 126 millimetre |
| Hind foot | 30.2 mm (1.2 in) 28 millimetre |
| Weight | May–June: 20 g (0.705479242102239 oz) Sept.–Oct., just prior to hibernation: 26.5 g (0.934759995785467 oz) |
| Measurements of 8 Adults from the Smoky Mountains | |
| Length | 223 mm (8.8 in) 185 millimetre |
| Tail | 140 mm (5.5 in) 120 millimetre |
| Hind foot | 29.7 mm (1.2 in) 29 millimetre |
| Diploid Number, Tooth Formula Dentition Dentition pertains to the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth. In particular, the characteristic arrangement, kind, and number of teeth in a given species at a given age... , and Mammae |
|
| Diploid number | 72 |
| Tooth formula | = 16 |
| Mammae | 1 pair pectoral Pectoral Pectoral may refer to:* Pectoral cross, a cross worn on the chest* a decorative, usually jeweled version of a gorget* Pectoral , often iconographic with hieroglyphs* Pectoralis major muscle, commonly referred to as "pectorals" or "pecs"... ; 2 pair abdominal; 1 pair inguinal Inguinal In human anatomy, the inguinal region refers to either the groin or the lower lateral regions of the abdomen. It may also refer to:* Conjoint tendon, previously known as the inguinal aponeurotic falx, a structure formed from the transversus abdominis insertion into the pecten pubis* Granuloma... |
| Metabolism Metabolism Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories... |
|
| Typical body temperature | 310ºK (37.0°C or 98.6°F) |
| Basal metabolic rate | 0.22 W |
| Body mass | 21.8 g (0.768972373891441 oz) |
| Metabolic rate per body mass | 0.010092W/g |
Communication and perception
Captive mice are tolerant of others and display little aggression. They are normally silent, but the young squeak and make suckling sounds shortly after birth, and adults make soft clucking sounds while sleeping and just before hibernation. Tactile communication probably exists between mates and between mothers and their young. Like other small rodents, odors and chemical signals are probably emitted or exchanged that identify individuals, that distinguish the sexes, and that indicate the receptiveness of an individual to sexual congress.Diet
Diet varies with geographic location and season. One hundred three mice taken in central New YorkCentral New York
Central New York is a term used to broadly describe the central region of New York State, roughly including the following counties and cities:...
had stomach contents containing the fungi of the genus Endogone
Endogonales
Endogonales is an order of fungi within the phylum of Zygomycota. It contains only one family, Endogonaceae, with four genera and 27 species.-Life cycle:...
and related genera. Endogone is so small the mice presumably locate it by olfaction
Olfaction
Olfaction is the sense of smell. This sense is mediated by specialized sensory cells of the nasal cavity of vertebrates, and, by analogy, sensory cells of the antennae of invertebrates...
. Fungi represent about a third of the New York diet, seeds 25%, lepidoptrous larvae and various fruits about 10%, and beetles about 7.5%. Touch-me-not seeds are found in the diet. Food is not consumed during hibernation
Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate...
and mice having insufficient fat reserves do not survive.
Seasonal activities
Summertime is the peak activity period of the woodland jumping mouse. During this time, the mating season begins; mice that re-emerged from hibernationHibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate...
eat lots of food to restore body weight and fat. Some mice start to hibernate as early as September, but most wait until late November. The mice gather food and fat for more than 2 weeks before they plan to hibernate. During hibernation, body temperatures usually drop from 37 to 2 °C (98.6 to 35.6 F). Even during their hibernation, they wake up about every 2 weeks to urinate or eat from their food stashes. Only about 1/3 of all mice that enter hibernation survive; the rest either die from hypothermia
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition in which core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions which is defined as . Body temperature is usually maintained near a constant level of through biologic homeostasis or thermoregulation...
or are eaten by predators. Some mice do not enter hibernation, but move to nearby peoples' houses to live inside the walls, in old furniture, or cabinets. They eat scraps or foods that were left over. The mice that do hibernate and survive usually re-emerge around April.
Shelter
The woodland jumping mouse will live in either nests or burrows. The nests are usually found in hollow logs, under roots of trees or under rocks. The burrows can be found almost anywhere, although they are usually by a plant that can cover the entrance. Their nests are made from soft grasses, reeds and leaves. The burrows usually have multiple chambers, each one dug for a different reason. There is usually a room filled with nesting materials such as grass, reeds and leaves, which is used for sleeping or hibernation. Second, most mice have a room where they store and horde food for hibernation. And finally, there is, in most cases and room with some nesting material for mating, and where the juveniles will be nursed.Little is known about territory size and territorial behavior because observation is difficult in the wild. Males are thought to have home ranges between 0.4 hectare and females between 0.4 hectare with ranges of the sexes overlapping. High numbers of mice are attracted to sudden and temporary food supplies (such as ripened berries) but what appears to be a colony established in the vicinity of the food may only be a temporary camp while the supply lasts. The average population density, in favorable habitat, is 7.5 per ha
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
. Population density estimates range though from 0.64 to 59 per ha.
Reproduction
The mating season occurs in May with gestationGestation
Gestation is the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal. Mammals during pregnancy can have one or more gestations at the same time ....
about 29 days. The three to six pink-skinned and hairless young are born in late June or early July. The eyes open about the 26th day, weaning occurs about the 30th day, and by the 34th the young look like adults. Some mice may have a second litter in August.
The mating season for the woodland jumping mouse starts at the beginning of summer (May) and ends at the end of summer (August). Females usually have 2 or more litters a year, each containing 1–12 juveniles. The female nurses the young while the male gets food to feed the young. The young first leave the nest after 16 days, leaving permanently after 34 days or less. About 90% of young are eaten, every 1 out of 10 lives.
Parental care is little understood because observation in the wild is difficult and females in captivity normally commit infanticide
Infanticide in rodents
"Infanticide" is the term used for the termination of a neonate after it has been born, and in zoology this often applies to the termination and/or consumption of newborn animals by either a parent or an unrelated adult...
shortly after giving birth. Parental care devolves upon the female rather than the male whose role in care of the young is unknown. Mothers and their young share the nest and mothers have been observed covering its entrance during the day. The young have a longer developmental period than most small rodents, and parental care consequently covers a longer period of time in comparison with other small rodents.
| Life history traits (averages) | |
|---|---|
| Female sexual maturity | 256 days |
| Male sexual maturity | Unknown |
| Gestation | 29 days |
| Weaning | 36 days |
| Litter size | 4 (viviparous) |
| Litters per year | 1.3 |
| Weight at birth | 0.9 g (0.0317465658946008 oz) |
| Weight at weaning | 8.9 g (0.313938262735496 oz) |
| Sexual dimorphism Sexual dimorphism Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:... |
None;Females larger |
| Adult weight | 25 g (0.881849052627799 oz) |
| Postnatal growth rate | 0.0277 days-1 (from Gompertz function) |
Survival
Eastern screech owlEastern Screech Owl
The Eastern Screech Owl or Eastern Screech-Owl is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada.-Description:...
s, timber rattlesnakes, bobcat
Bobcat
The bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
s, broad-banded copperheads, American mink
American Mink
The American mink is a semi-aquatic species of Mustelid native to North America, though human intervention has expanded its range to many parts of Europe and South America. Because of this, it is classed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Since the extinction of the sea mink, the American mink is the...
, weasels, and striped skunk
Striped Skunk
The striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis, is an omnivorous mammal of the skunk family Mephitidae. Found over most of the North American continent north of Mexico, it is one of the best-known mammals in Canada and the United States.-Description:...
s are known predators.
A number of mites
MITES
MITES, or Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science, is a highly selective six-week summer program for rising high school seniors held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its purpose is to expose students from minority, or otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds, to the fields of...
and some fleas parasitize the mouse but are rarely seen in their adult stage. The mite Glycyphagus newyorkensis in its hypopus stage does not feed on the mouse but simply 'hops a ride', and presumably drops off to reach adulthood in the nest.
The mouse probably has a lifespan of two years but some individuals may live three or four years.
Conservation
The Woodland jumping mouse has no special status on the IUCN Red ListIUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
, United States Federal List, or CITES. No major threats exist at present (2010) but land development reduces suitable habitat for species hibernation
Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate...
, and insufficient layers of insulating snowfall may result in high death rates during the winter. Southern populations are already confined to higher elevations in their range and are threatened by rising temperatures. More research is needed to evaluate and assess current distribution, species abundance, and potential effects of threats. No conservation measures have been undertaken at present to address specific needs of populations in state and national parks. The IUCN has listed the species as Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern is an IUCN category assigned to extant taxon or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category. As such they do not qualify as threatened, Near Threatened, or Conservation Dependent...
, because the mouse is common and widespread, populations are considered stable, and no major threats exist at present.
External links
- Napaeozapus insignis, Discover Life
- Woodland Jumping Mouse, The Canadian Biodiversity Website
- Woodland Jumping Mouse Range map
- Woodland Jumping Mouse at ESF