Preble's meadow jumping mouse

src: www.cnhp.colostate.edu

Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) is a subspecies of jumping mouse, endemic to the upland habitats of Colorado and Wyoming in North America. It is found nowhere else in the world. It is listed as Threatened under the United States Endangered Species Act; there is a major debate about whether it is a valid taxon.

Video Preble's meadow jumping mouse

Description

The mouse is around nine inches long, and can jump in bounds of four feet when threatened. It usually travels slowly. It swims and climbs grass stems. It has long hind legs and a long, slender, scaly tail that it uses to communicate by making drumming noises. It also communicates using clucks and chirps.

The mice are born without hair (naked) and live nearly two years. They hibernate from mid-September to early May, building themselves a soft vegetation nest. The breeding season is from May to October.

Meadow jumping mice like to eat mostly plants, insects, spiders, slugs.

Maps Preble's meadow jumping mouse

See also

• Meadow jumping mouse
• Jerboa
• Allactaga

src: upload.wikimedia.org

References

src: usafa.isportsman.net

External links

• Federal Source

Source of the article : Wikipedia