# Eastern Deermouse (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) The Eastern Deermouse is a small, cute mouse with big ears and a long tail. They love to explore and can be found in many places, making them fun to watch! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Eastern Deermouse](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/DiGangi-Deermouse.jpg&width=800) Photo: 6th Happiness, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DiGangi-Deermouse.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Deermouse has large dark eyes and prominent ears. Its soft fur is reddish-brown on top, sharply contrasting with its bright white belly and feet. A distinctive bicolored tail, dark above and white below, helps distinguish it. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Cricetidae - **Genus:** Peromyscus ## Interesting facts - A mother deermouse can have several litters of babies in just one year! - Eastern Deermice build cozy nests from plants and fur to stay warm! - Their tail can break off if caught, helping them escape predators! - They use their long, sensitive whiskers to 'feel' their way around in the dark. ## Special abilities - **Night Vision Ninja:** Eastern Deermouse has extra rod cells in its eyes that helps them see clearly in very low light conditions. - **Acrobatic Climber:** Eastern Deermouse can climb and jump skillfully because of its strong legs and long tail for balance. - **Secret Stash Keeper:** Eastern Deermouse can collect and hide seeds and nuts for later because of its excellent memory for food caches. - **Super Sound Sensor:** Eastern Deermouse has large, swiveling ears that helps them pinpoint tiny sounds of danger or food in the dark. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-10 cm - **Weight:** 0.015-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-2 years - **Speed:** 13 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-7 - **Gestation:** 20-25 days ## Diet & Feeding These tiny omnivores munch on seeds, nuts, fruits, and even insects. - **Primary Foods:** Seeds, Nuts, Berries, Fungi, Insects, Acorns - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — A key part of their nocturnal diet. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Rat Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-rat-snake) (*Pantherophis alleghaniensis*) — Hunts them in forests and fields. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Preys on them across various habitats. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a mouse, it's best to watch from a distance and not try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Deermouse? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern Deermouse? 7-10 cm ### How much does Eastern Deermouse weigh? 0.015-0.03 kg ### How long does Eastern Deermouse live? 1-2 years ### How fast can Eastern Deermouse move? 13 km/h ### What does Eastern Deermouse eat? These tiny omnivores munch on seeds, nuts, fruits, and even insects. ### Where is Eastern Deermouse usually found? Forests ### How does Eastern Deermouse hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Canaan](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canaan) — Connecticut, US · Neighborhood - [Hall Street Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hall-street-park) — Michigan, US · Park - [Spruce Woods Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/spruce-woods-provincial-park) — Manitoba, CA · State Park [View all places to see Eastern Deermouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-deermouse) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Eastern Deermouse: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-deermouse)