# Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse (*Zapus hudsonius*) The Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse is a small, lively creature that loves to hop around in tall grass. With its long tail and big back legs, it can jump really far to escape from danger! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Zapus_hudsonius.jpg&width=800) Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zapus_hudsonius.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse has a yellowish-brown to dark brown back, often with a darker stripe down its spine. Its sides are yellowish-orange, sharply contrasting with its pure white belly. It also boasts a remarkably long tail, often 1.5 times its body length, and large hind feet. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Dipodidae - **Genus:** Zapus ## Interesting facts - Its heart rate can drop to just 5 beats per minute during hibernation! - Jumping mice create cozy spherical nests in dense grass for sleeping. - These tiny mammals spend most of their lives living alone. - They use strong front teeth to gnaw on tough seeds and fungi. ## Special abilities - **Hyper-Jump Escape:** Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse can leap up to 3 meters (10 feet) to escape danger, thanks to its powerful hind legs. - **Acrobatic Balance:** Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse has a very long tail that acts like a counterweight, helping it balance during incredible jumps. - **Deep Sleeper:** Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse can hibernate for up to six months, slowing its body functions drastically to survive winter. - **Sensitive Ears:** Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse has large, sensitive ears that help it detect faint sounds of predators or insect prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7.5-10.5 cm - **Weight:** 0.013-0.028 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-3 years - **Speed:** 12 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-9 - **Gestation:** 18-21 days ## Diet & Feeding This tiny omnivore eats a varied diet of seeds, fungi, fruits, and small insects. - **Primary Foods:** Seeds, Berries, Fungi, Beetles, Caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — Hunts small rodents like jumping mice at night. - **Eaten by:** Least Weasel (*Mustela nivalis*) — An agile predator that hunts small mammals in their burrows. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Opportunistically preys on small mammals and amphibians. - **Eats:** Pennsylvania Sedge (*Carex pensylvanica*) — Consumes seeds from various sedge species. ## 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. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a jumping mouse, watch quietly from a distance and don't try to catch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse? 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 Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse? 7.5-10.5 cm ### How much does Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse weigh? 0.013-0.028 kg ### How long does Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse live? 1-3 years ### How fast can Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse move? 12 km/h ### What does Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse eat? This tiny omnivore eats a varied diet of seeds, fungi, fruits, and small insects. ### Where is Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse usually found? Grasslands ### How does Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-meadow-jumping-mouse)