Neotominae is a subfamily of mammals in the rodent family Cricetidae, which in turn is part of the Myomorpha suborder in the order Rodentia. Members of this subfamily are called neotomines and include deer mice, pack rats, and grasshopper mice. They are found in North America, Central America, and northwestern South America, primarily in forests, shrublands, grasslands, and deserts, though some species can be found in rocky areas and wetlands. They range in size from the northern pygmy mouse, at 5 cm (2 in) plus a 3 cm (1.2 in) tail, to the bushy-tailed woodrat, at 25 cm (10 in) plus a 22 cm (9 in) tail. Neotomines generally eat seeds, nuts, roots, stems, leaves, and invertebrates. Almost no neotomines have population estimates, but 14 species are categorized as endangered, and 16 species are categorized as critically endangered, some with population sizes of less than 50. One species, Pemberton's deer mouse, was driven extinct in the 1900s.
The 123 extant species of Neotominae are divided into 16 genera, with almost half of the species, 56, in the Peromyscus genus. Several extinct prehistoric neotomine species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries, the exact number and categorization are not fixed. [1]
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| EX | Extinct (1 species) |
| EW | Extinct in the wild (0 species) |
| CR | Critically endangered (16 species) |
| EN | Endangered (14 species) |
| VU | Vulnerable (4 species) |
| NT | Near threatened (8 species) |
| LC | Least concern (76 species) |
| Other categories | |
| DD | Data deficient (5 species) |
| NE | Not evaluated (0 species) |
The author citation for the species or genus is given after the scientific name; parentheses around the author citation indicate that this was not the original taxonomic placement. Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the neotomine's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct species, subspecies, or genera listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol: "†".
Neotominae is a subfamily of the rodent family Cricetidae consisting of 123 extant species in 16 genera. These genera range in size from 1 to 56 species, with the latter, Peromyscus , comprising nearly half of the species in the subfamily. Additionally, one species, Pemberton's deer mouse in Peromyscus, was driven extinct in the 1900s. [2] This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species.
Subfamily Neotominae
The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by the reference work Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists. [5]
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexican pygmy mouse | B. musculus (Merriam, 1892) | Southern Mexico and northern Central America | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 3–6 cm (1–2 in) tail [6] Habitat: Shrubland, forest, and grassland [7] Diet: Green vegetation, as well as seeds and insects [8] | LC
|
| Northern pygmy mouse | B. taylori (Thomas, 1887) | Mexico and southern United States | Size: 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 3–6 cm (1–2 in) tail [6] Habitat: Grassland, forest, shrubland, and desert [9] Diet: Cactus stems and fruit, seeds, and grass [9] | LC
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinanteco deer mouse | H. chinanteco (Robertson & Musser, 1976) | Central Mexico | Size: 9–10 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 11–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [11] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | CR
|
| Crested-tailed deer mouse | H. lophurus (Osgood, 1904) | Southern Mexico and northern Central America | Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [13] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | NT
|
| Delicate deer mouse | H. delicatulus Carleton, Sánchez, & Urbano Vidales, 2002 | Central Mexico | Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 7–9 cm (3–4 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [14] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | EN
|
| Ixtlán deer mouse | H. ixtlani Goodwin, 1964 | Central Mexico | Size: 11–14 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [15] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | CR
|
| Jico deer mouse | H. simulatus (Osgood, 1904) | Central Mexico | Size: 9–10 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 7–12 cm (3–5 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [16] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | CR
|
| Zempoaltepec deer mouse | H. lepturus (Merriam, 1899) | Southern Mexico | Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [17] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | CR
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen's woodrat | H. alleni (Merriam, 1892) | Southern Mexico | Size: 16–22 cm (6–9 in) long, plus 14–22 cm (6–9 in) tail [18] Habitat: Shrubland [19] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | LC
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pirri isthmus rat | I. pirrensis (Goldman, 1912) | Panama and northwestern Colombia | Size: 15–18 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 18–20 cm (7–8 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [20] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | LC
|
| Yellow isthmus rat | I. flavidus (Bangs, 1902) | Panama | Size: 16–17 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 18–20 cm (7–8 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [21] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | NT
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson's giant deer mouse | M. nelsoni (Merriam, 1898) | Southern Mexico | Size: 13–15 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 17–18 cm (7–7 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [22] Diet: Seeds [22] | EN
|
| Oaxaca giant deer mouse | M. cryophilus (Musser, 1964) | Southern Mexico | Size: About 15 cm (6 in) long, plus 15–19 cm (6–7 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [23] Diet: Berries [8] | EN
|
| Thomas's giant deer mouse | M. thomasi (Merriam, 1898) | Southern Mexico | Size: 14–17 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 15–19 cm (6–7 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [24] Diet: Seeds [24] | EN
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diminutive woodrat | N. neotomodon Merriam, 1897 | Central Mexico | Size: 11–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 10–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest [25] Diet: Conifer needles [26] | LC
|
| Goldman's diminutive woodrat | N. goldmani Merriam, 1903 | Central Mexico | Size: 11–14 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 10–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest [27] Diet: Conifer needles [26] | EN
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny woodrat | N. magister Baird, 1857 | Eastern United States | Size: 16–24 cm (6–9 in) long, plus 14–21 cm (6–8 in) tail [18] Habitat: Caves, rocky areas, and forest [28] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | NT
|
| Angel de la Guarda woodrat | N. insularis Townsend, 1912 | Angel de la Guarda island in Western Mexico | Size: 17–18 cm (7–7 in) long, plus 11–17 cm (4–7 in) tail [6] Habitat: Shrubland [30] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | DD
|
| Arizona woodrat | N. devia Goldman, 1927 | Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico | Size: 14–18 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tail [6] Habitat: Rocky areas and desert [31] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Big-eared woodrat | N. macrotis Thomas, 1893 | Western United States and western Mexico | Size: 17–25 cm (7–10 in) long, plus 15–21 cm (6–8 in) tail [18] Habitat: Desert, forest, and shrubland [32] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Bolaños woodrat | N. palatina Goldman, 1905 | Central Mexico | Size: 18–22 cm (7–9 in) long, plus 14–18 cm (6–7 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest and rocky areas [33] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | VU
|
| Bryant's woodrat | N. bryanti Merriam, 1887 | Western Mexico and southwestern United States | Size: 16–21 cm (6–8 in) long, plus 12–19 cm (5–7 in) tail [6] Habitat: Coastal marine, desert, and forest [34] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Bushy-tailed woodrat | N. cinerea (Ord, 1815) | Western United States and western Canada | Size: 17–25 cm (7–10 in) long, plus 12–22 cm (5–9 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest, caves, desert, other, rocky areas, and shrubland [35] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Desert woodrat | N. lepida Thomas, 1893 | Western United States and northwestern Mexico | Size: 15–18 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 10–18 cm (4–7 in) tail [6] Habitat: Desert and shrubland [36] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Dusky-footed woodrat | N. fuscipes Baird, 1858 | Western United States | Size: 17–23 cm (7–9 in) long, plus 15–24 cm (6–9 in) tail [18] Habitat: Shrubland and forest [37] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Eastern woodrat | N. floridana (Ord, 1818) | Central and eastern United States | Size: 18–24 cm (7–9 in) long, plus 12–20 cm (5–8 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest, grassland, shrubland, rocky areas, and inland wetlands [38] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Goldman's woodrat | N. goldmani Merriam, 1903 | Central Mexico | Size: 14–16 cm (6–6 in) long, plus 11–14 cm (4–6 in) tail [18] Habitat: Rocky areas and desert [39] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Mexican woodrat | N. mexicana Baird, 1855 | South-central United States, Mexico, and Central America | Size: 15–20 cm (6–8 in) long, plus 13–22 cm (5–9 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest and rocky areas [40] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Nelson's woodrat | N. nelsoni Goldman, 1905 | Central Mexico | Size: About 20 cm (8 in) long, plus about 15 cm (6 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest [41] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | CR
|
| Nicaraguan woodrat | N. chrysomelas Allen, 1908 | Honduras and Nicaragua | Size: 18–22 cm (7–9 in) long, plus 15–19 cm (6–7 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest and rocky areas [42] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Sonoran woodrat | N. phenax (Merriam, 1903) | Western Mexico | Size: 18–21 cm (7–8 in) long, plus 14–22 cm (6–9 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [43] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Southern Plains woodrat | N. micropus Baird, 1855 | South-central United States and northern Mexico | Size: 18–24 cm (7–9 in) long, plus 13–18 cm (5–7 in) tail [18] Habitat: Shrubland [44] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Stephen's woodrat | N. stephensi Goldman, 1905 | Southwestern United States | Size: 15–17 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 13–15 cm (5–6 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest and rocky areas [45] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Tamaulipan woodrat | N. angustapalata Baker, 1951 | Central Mexico | Size: 18–22 cm (7–9 in) long, plus 19–20 cm (7–8 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest [46] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | NT
|
| White-throated woodrat | N. albigula Hartley, 1894 | Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico | Size: 20–21 cm (8–8 in) long, plus 7–19 cm (3–7 in) tail [18] Habitat: Desert, shrubland, rocky areas, and forest [47] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| White-toothed woodrat | N. leucodon Merriam, 1894 | South-central United States and Mexico | Size: 20–21 cm (8–8 in) long, plus 7–19 cm (3–7 in) tail [18] Habitat: Rocky areas, desert, and shrubland [48] Diet: Roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds and invertebrates [29] | LC
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexican volcano mouse | N. alstoni Merriam, 1898 | Central Mexico | Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 7–11 cm (3–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [49] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | LC
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden mouse | O. nuttalli (Harlan, 1832) | Eastern United States | Size: 5–12 cm (2–5 in) long, plus 5–10 cm (2–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Shrubland and forest [50] Diet: Seeds [51] | LC
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mearns's grasshopper mouse | O. arenicola Mearns, 1896 | South-central United States and Mexico | Size: 8–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (2–2 in) tail [52] Habitat: Grassland and desert [53] Diet: Insects, scorpions, and small vertebrates, as well as plant material [54] | LC
|
| Northern grasshopper mouse | O. leucogaster (Wied-Neuwied, 1841) | South-central Canada, United States, and northern Mexico | Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 2–7 cm (1–3 in) tail [52] Habitat: Desert, grassland, and shrubland [55] Diet: Insects, scorpions, and small vertebrates, as well as plant material [54] | LC
|
| Southern grasshopper mouse | O. torridus (Coues, 1874) | Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico | Size: 8–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 3–7 cm (1–3 in) tail [52] Habitat: Desert and shrubland [56] Diet: Insects, scorpions, and small vertebrates, as well as plant material [54] | LC
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michoacan deer mouse | O. banderanus (Allen, 1897) | Southwestern Mexico | Size: 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 9–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Forest [57] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | LC
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel Island mouse | P. guardia Townsend, 1912 | Ángel de la Guarda island in western Mexico | Size: 9–10 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 9–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Shrubland [58] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | CR
|
| Aztec mouse | P. aztecus (Saussure, 1860) | Mexico and northern Central America | Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 10–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [61] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Big deer mouse | P. grandis Goodwin, 1932 | Guatemala | Size: 13–14 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 12–16 cm (5–6 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [62] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | NT
|
| Black-eared mouse | P. melanotis Allen & Chapman, 1897 | Southwestern United States and Mexico | Size: 9–11 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 4–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [63] Habitat: Forest, grassland, and rocky areas [64] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Black-tailed mouse | P. melanurus Osgood, 1909 | Southern Mexico | Size: 11–14 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 12–15 cm (5–6 in) tail [63] Habitat: Forest [65] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | EN
|
| Black-wristed deer mouse | P. melanocarpus Osgood, 1904 | Southern Mexico | Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 10–14 cm (4–6 in) tail [63] Habitat: Forest [66] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | EN
|
| Blackish deer mouse | P. furvus Allen & Chapman, 1897 | Central Mexico | Size: 11–14 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 11–17 cm (4–7 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [67] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | DD
|
| Brown deer mouse | P. megalops Merriam, 1898 | Southern Mexico | Size: 11–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 11–16 cm (4–6 in) tail [63] Habitat: Forest [68] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Brush mouse | P. boylii (Baird, 1855) | Northern Mexico and western United States | Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 8–12 cm (3–5 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest, desert, shrubland, and rocky areas [69] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Burt's deer mouse | P. caniceps Burt, 1932 | Montserrat island in western Mexico | Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 10–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Desert [70] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | CR
|
| Cactus mouse | P. eremicus (Baird, 1858) | Northern Mexico and southwestern United States | Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 8–12 cm (3–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Shrubland and desert [71] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| California deermouse | P. californicus (Gambel, 1848) | Northwestern Mexico and southwestern United States | Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 11–16 cm (4–6 in) tail [52] Habitat: Shrubland and forest [72] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Canyon mouse | P. crinitus (Merriam, 1891) | Northwestern Mexico and western United States | Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 8–12 cm (3–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Grassland, rocky areas, shrubland, and forest [73] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Chiapan deer mouse | P. zarhynchus Merriam, 1898 | Southeastern Mexico | Size: 14–15 cm (6–6 in) long, plus 15–18 cm (6–7 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [74] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | VU
|
| Chihuahuan mouse | P. polius Osgood, 1904 | Northern Mexico | Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 12–14 cm (5–6 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [75] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | NT
|
| Cotton mouse | P. gossypinus (Le Conte, 1850) | Southeastern United States (in blue) | Size: 7–12 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 5–10 cm (2–4 in) tail [52] Habitat: Intertidal marine, grassland, forest, inland wetlands, caves, and shrubland [76] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Dickey's deer mouse | P. dickeyi Burt, 1932 | Tortuga island in western Mexico | Size: 9–11 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 9–10 cm (4–4 in) tail [52] Habitat: Rocky areas and shrubland [77] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | CR
|
| Eastern deer mouse | P. maniculatus (Wagner, 1845) | Canada, United States, and Mexico (in gray) | Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 4–13 cm (2–5 in) tail [63] Habitat: Desert, rocky areas, grassland, forest, shrubland, and inland wetlands [78] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| El Carrizo deer mouse | P. ochraventer Gloger, 1841 | Central Mexico | Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 10–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [79] Diet: Seeds, fruit, insects, and fungi [79] | EN
|
| Eva's desert mouse | P. eva Thomas, 1898 | Western Mexico | Size: 8–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 10–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Shrubland and rocky areas [80] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| False canyon mouse | P. pseudocrinitus Burt, 1932 | Coronados island in western Mexico | Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Coastal marine, shrubland, and rocky areas [81] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | CR
|
| Gleaning mouse | P. spicilegus Allen, 1897 | Western Mexico | Size: About 10 cm (4 in) long, plus about 10 cm (4 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [82] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Guatemalan deer mouse | P. guatemalensis Merriam, 1898 | Southern Mexico and Guatemala | Size: 13–14 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 12–16 cm (5–6 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [83] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Hooper's mouse | P. hooperi Lee & Schmidly, 1977 | Northern Mexico | Size: 8–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–14 cm (4–6 in) tail [52] Habitat: Grassland [84] Diet: Seeds, nuts, insects, and other invertebrates [84] | LC
|
| La Palma deermouse | P. sagax (Elliot, 1903) | Central Mexico | Size: 9–11 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 9–11 cm (4–4 in) tail [60] Habitat: Shrubland and forest [85] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | DD
|
| Maya mouse | P. mayensis Carleton & Huckaby, 1975 | Guatemala | Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 10–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [63] Habitat: Forest [86] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | CR
|
| Mesquite mouse | P. merriami Mearns, 1896 | Western Mexico and southwestern United States | Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Shrubland [87] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Mexican deer mouse | P. mexicanus (Saussure, 1860) | Southern Mexico and Central America | Size: 10–14 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 10–14 cm (4–6 in) tail [63] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and rocky areas [88] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Naked-eared deer mouse | P. gymnotis Thomas, 1894 | Southern Mexico and Central America | Size: 11–14 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 9–11 cm (4–4 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [89] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Nayarit mouse | P. simulus Osgood, 1904 | Western Mexico | Size: About 10 cm (4 in) long, plus 9–11 cm (4–4 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [90] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | VU
|
| Nimble-footed mouse | P. levipes Merriam, 1898 | Central Mexico | Size: 8–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and rocky areas [91] Diet: Grain, fruit, and green vegetation, as well as worms, insects, molluscs, and small vertebrates [91] | LC
|
| Northern Baja deer mouse | P. fraterculus (Miller, 1892) | Western Mexico and southwestern United States | Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Desert, shrubland, and rocky areas [92] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Northern rock mouse | P. nasutus (Allen, 1891) | South-central United States and northern Mexico | Size: 9–11 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 12–14 cm (5–6 in) tail [10] Habitat: Rocky areas and forest [93] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Northwestern deer mouse | P. keeni (Rhoads, 1894) | Western Canada and northwestern United States | Size: 7–14 cm (3–6 in) long, plus 7–13 cm (3–5 in) tail [63] Habitat: Forest, grassland, shrubland, and intertidal marine [94] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Oldfield mouse | P. polionotus (Wagner, 1843) | Southeastern United States (in dark green) | Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (2–2 in) tail [63] Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, coastal marine, and intertidal marine [95] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Orizaba deer mouse | P. beatae (Thomas, 1903) | Southern Mexico and northern Central America | Size: 8–12 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 9–14 cm (4–6 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [96] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Osgood's mouse | P. gratus Merriam, 1898 | Mexico and southwestern United States | Size: 9–11 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 7–13 cm (3–5 in) tail [10] Habitat: Shrubland, forest, grassland, and rocky areas [97] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Pemberton's deer mouse † | P. pembertoni Burt, 1932 | San Pedro Nolasco island in western Mexico | Size: Unknown [2] Habitat: Grassland [98] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | EX
|
| Schmidly's deermouse | P. schmidlyi Bradley, Carroll, Haynie, Martínez, Hamilton, & Kilpatrick, 2004 | Western Mexico | Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 8–11 cm (3–4 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [99] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Perote mouse | P. bullatus Osgood, 1904 | Central Mexico | Size: 8–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 8–12 cm (3–5 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [100] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | CR
|
| Pinyon mouse | P. truei (Shufedlt, 1885) | Western United States and southwestern Mexico | Size: 9–11 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 10–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [10] Habitat: Desert, shrubland, forest, and rocky areas [101] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Plateau mouse | P. melanophrys (Coues, 1874) | Mexico (in brown) | Size: 7–12 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 11–18 cm (4–7 in) tail [63] Habitat: Desert and rocky areas [102] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Puebla deer mouse | P. mekisturus Merriam, 1898 | Southern Mexico | Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 13–16 cm (5–6 in) tail [63] Habitat: Forest [103] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | CR
|
| San Esteban Island mouse | P. stephani Townsend, 1912 | San Esteban island in Western Mexico | Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 10–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [60] Habitat: Desert [104] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | CR
|
| San Lorenzo mouse | P. interparietalis Burt, 1932 | Western Mexico | Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 8–12 cm (3–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Desert [105] Diet: Seeds, sprouts, flowers, fruit, and insects [105] | CR
|
| Santa Cruz mouse | P. sejugis Burt, 1932 | Western Mexico | Size: 9–11 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 6–10 cm (2–4 in) tail [63] Habitat: Shrubland, rocky areas, and desert [106] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | EN
|
| Slevin's mouse | P. slevini Mailliard, 1924 | Santa Catalina island in western Mexico | Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 9–11 cm (4–4 in) tail [63] Habitat: Shrubland and rocky areas [107] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | CR
|
| Stirton's deer mouse | P. stirtoni Dickey, 1928 | Central America | Size: 9–11 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 8–11 cm (3–4 in) tail [63] Habitat: Rocky areas and forest [108] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Tawny deer mouse | P. perfulvus Osgood, 1945 | Southwestern Mexico | Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 12–14 cm (5–6 in) tail [63] Habitat: Forest [109] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Texas mouse | P. attwateri Allen, 1895 | South-central United States | Size: 9–11 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest and rocky areas [110] Diet: Berries, acorns, seeds, plant material, and insects [110] | LC
|
| Transvolcanic deer mouse | P. hylocetes Merriam, 1898 | Central Mexico | Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 10–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [111] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Tres Marías Island mouse | P. madrensis Merriam, 1898 | Mary islands in western Mexico | Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 9–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [112] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | EN
|
| White-ankled mouse | P. pectoralis Osgood, 1904 | Mexico and south-central United States | Size: 9–10 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 8–13 cm (3–5 in) tail [10] Habitat: Desert, forest, grassland, rocky areas, and shrubland [113] Diet: Seeds and insects [113] | LC
|
| White-footed mouse | P. leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818) | Southern Canada, United States, and Mexico | Size: 8–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 4–10 cm (2–4 in) tail [63] Habitat: Forest, desert, grassland, and shrubland [114] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Winkelmann's mouse | P. winkelmanni Carleton, 1977 | Southwestern Mexico | Size: 11–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 11–14 cm (4–6 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [115] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | EN
|
| Yucatan deer mouse | P. yucatanicus Allen & Chapman, 1897 | Eastern Mexico and northern Guatemala | Size: 9–11 cm (4–4 in) long, plus 8–12 cm (3–5 in) tail [63] Habitat: Forest [116] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Zacatecan deer mouse | P. difficilis (Allen, 1891) | Mexico | Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 11–14 cm (4–6 in) tail [10] Habitat: Desert, grassland, and forest [117] Diet: Seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, other invertebrates, and carrion [59] | LC
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida mouse | P. floridanus (Chapman, 1889) | Southeastern United States | Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 8–11 cm (3–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Savanna, forest, grassland, and shrubland [118] Diet: Seeds, nuts, fungi, vegetation, insects, and other invertebrates [119] | NT
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiriqui harvest mouse | R. creper Bangs, 1902 | Costa Rica and Panama | Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 11–15 cm (4–6 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [120] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Cozumel harvest mouse | R. spectabilis Jones & Lawler, 1965 | Cozumel island in eastern Mexico | Size: 8–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 12–14 cm (5–6 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [122] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | CR
|
| Darien harvest mouse | R. darienensis Pearson, 1939 | Panama | Size: 6–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 10–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [123] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Eastern harvest mouse | R. humulis (Audubon & Bachman, 1941) | Southeastern United States | Size: 6–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (2–2 in) tail [52] Habitat: Grassland and inland wetlands [124] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Fulvous harvest mouse | R. fulvescens Allen, 1894 | Southern United States, Mexico, and northern Central America | Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 7–12 cm (3–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland [125] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Hairy harvest mouse | R. hirsutus Merriam, 1901 | Southwestern Mexico | Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 10–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Desert [126] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | VU
|
| Mexican harvest mouse | R. mexicanus (Saussure, 1860) | Southern Mexico, Central America, and northwestern South America | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [127] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Narrow-nosed harvest mouse | R. tenuirostris Merriam, 1901 | Southeastern Mexico and Guatemala | Size: 8–13 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 12–13 cm (5–5 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [128] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | EN
|
| Nicaraguan harvest mouse | R. paradoxus Jones & Genoways, 1970 | Nicaragua and Costa Rica | Size: 7–8 cm (3–3 in) long, plus 9–11 cm (4–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [129] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | DD
|
| Plains harvest mouse | R. montanus (Baird, 1855) | Central United States and northern Mexico | Size: 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 5–7 cm (2–3 in) tail [52] Habitat: Grassland [130] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Rodriguez's harvest mouse | R. rodriguezi Goodwin, 1943 | Costa Rica | Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 11–13 cm (4–5 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [131] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Salt marsh harvest mouse | R. raviventris J. S. Dixon, 1908 | Western United States | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 5–10 cm (2–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Inland wetlands and intertidal marine [132] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | EN
|
| Short-nosed harvest mouse | R. brevirostris Goodwin, 1943 | Nicaragua and Costa Rica | Size: 6–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [133] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Slender harvest mouse | R. gracilis Allen & Chapman, 1897 | Southern Mexico and northern Central America | Size: 7–8 cm (3–3 in) long, plus 8–11 cm (3–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [134] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Small harvest mouse | R. musseri Gardner & Carleton, 2009 | Costa Rica | Size: About 6 cm (2 in) long, plus about 10 cm (4 in) tail [52] Habitat: Forest [135] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | NT
|
| Small-toothed harvest mouse | R. microdon Merriam, 1901 | Southern Mexico and Guatemala | Size: 6–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 10–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [136] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Sonoran harvest mouse | R. burti Benson, 1939 | Northwestern Mexico | Size: 6–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 5–7 cm (2–3 in) tail [52] Habitat: Shrubland [137] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | DD
|
| Sumichrast's harvest mouse | R. sumichrasti (Saussure, 1861) | Southern Mexico and Central America | Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 8–12 cm (3–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Forest [138] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Volcano harvest mouse | R. chrysopsis Merriam, 1900 | Central Mexico | Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [52] Habitat: Forest [139] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Western harvest mouse | R. megalotis (Baird, 1857) | Southern Canada, United States, and Mexico | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 5–10 cm (2–4 in) tail [52] Habitat: Shrubland, inland wetlands, desert, and grassland [140] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Zacatecas harvest mouse | R. zacatecae Merriam, 1901 | Western Mexico | Size: 6–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 6–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [52] Habitat: Forest [141] Diet: Seeds and shoots, as well as insects [121] | LC
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alston's brown mouse | S. teguina (Alston, 1876) | Southern Mexico and Central America | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (2–2 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest [142] Diet: Insects [143] | LC
|
| Chiriqui brown mouse | S. xerampelinus (Bangs, 1902) | Costa Rica and Panama | Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 6–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [6] Habitat: Forest and grassland [144] Diet: Insects [143] | LC
|
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magdalena rat | X. nelsoni Merriam, 1892 | Southwestern Mexico | Size: 15–17 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 14–17 cm (6–7 in) tail [18] Habitat: Forest [145] Diet: Plant material and invertebrates [12] | EN
|