Field mouse
The field mouse is also referred to as the wood mouse.
*Distinctive features and behaviours -
A less uniform mouse with sandy brown fur and a white to grey belly.
A cautious mouse which always sniffs anything unfamiliar before approaching.
Its back feet are large which give it a good spring for leaping.
Its tail is roughly the same length as its head and body.
It stores berries and seeds in the autumn in underground burrows or sometimes in old birds' nests.
It thrives in woodland, rough grassland and gardens.
This species of mouse does not have a very strong smell.
*Diet -
Field mice tend to mostly eat seeds from trees, but they also eat snails, insects, fruit, berries, nuts and fungi.
*Field mice and people -
The field mouse is the most common and widespread mouse species in the UK. They can be tricky to spot during the day, they're lightning quick and are nocturnal. They sleep in burrows when it's light and venture out to forage during the evenings.
Field mice play an important role in woodland ecology. They help to regenerate woods when their forgotten underground seed stores germinate into new trees. And they are so closely associated with woods and trees, that dips in the availability of tree seeds results in fewer field mice. This has a knock-on effect on owl populations that rely of field mice as prey.
Field mouse
The field mouse is also referred to as the wood mouse.
*Distinctive features and behaviours -
A less uniform mouse with sandy brown fur and a white to grey belly.
A cautious mouse which always sniffs anything unfamiliar before approaching.
Its back feet are large which give it a good spring for leaping.
Its tail is roughly the same length as its head and body.
It stores berries and seeds in the autumn in underground burrows or sometimes in old birds' nests.
It thrives in woodland, rough grassland and gardens.
This species of mouse does not have a very strong smell.
*Diet -
Field mice tend to mostly eat seeds from trees, but they also eat snails, insects, fruit, berries, nuts and fungi.
*Field mice and people -
The field mouse is the most common and widespread mouse species in the UK. They can be tricky to spot during the day, they're lightning quick and are nocturnal. They sleep in burrows when it's light and venture out to forage during the evenings.
Field mice play an important role in woodland ecology. They help to regenerate woods when their forgotten underground seed stores germinate into new trees. And they are so closely associated with woods and trees, that dips in the availability of tree seeds results in fewer field mice. This has a knock-on effect on owl populations that rely of field mice as prey.