A medium small mouse common in southeastern habitats.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The cotton mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is a species of the genus Peromyscus, a closely related group of New World mice often called "deermice". It is endemic to the woodlands of the Southern United States.
Source: Wikipedia — Cotton mouse Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small brown mouse with white belly; large ears; long tail.
Similar species. White-footed Mouse (very similar; expert ID needed).
Voice. Squeaks.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Seeds, insects.
Behavior. Common southeastern mouse. Sister species to white-footed mouse.
§ Range
Southeastern US
§ Habitat
Coastal pine and hardwood forests
§ Threats
Habitat loss.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the cotton mouse is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support southeastern forest conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Cotton mouse
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Peromyscus gossypinus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 42613
- iNaturalist · taxon 42953
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Peromyscus gossypinus
§ Sources cited
- American Society of Mammalogists
- IUCN Red List 2016
