# White-footed Mouse (*Peromyscus leucopus*) The white-footed mouse is a small, cute creature with soft fur and big ears. They love to explore and are often found in forests and fields, making them fun to watch as they scurry around. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests ![White-footed Mouse](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/White.footed.mouse.with.sucklings.jpg&width=800) Photo: Edited by Chandler B. Beach, A.M., Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White.footed.mouse.with.sucklings.jpg) ## Appearance The White-footed Mouse has soft, reddish-brown fur on its back, contrasting with pure white fur on its belly and, true to its name, white feet. It has large, dark eyes and prominent ears. Its long, sparsely-haired tail is dark on top and lighter underneath, completing its agile appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Cricetidae - **Genus:** Peromyscus ## Interesting facts - A White-footed Mouse can jump super high, over a foot in the air, to escape danger! - These mice often build complex nests inside old bird nests or forgotten mailboxes! - They can squeeze their bodies through tiny holes, sometimes smaller than a dime! - They sometimes carry seeds in their cheek pouches, like a built-in shopping bag! ## Special abilities - **Tail Breakaway Power:** White-footed Mouse can shed part of its tail if caught, helping them escape a predator’s grasp! - **Super Sense Navigator:** White-footed Mouse has fantastic hearing and smell that helps them find food and avoid danger at night. - **Acrobat Climber:** White-footed Mouse can climb trees and shrubs using tiny, sharp claws to quickly reach safe spots. - **Vibration Radar:** White-footed Mouse can feel tiny ground vibrations that help them sense predators approaching from a distance. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.02-0.035 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-3 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-9 - **Gestation:** 22-25 days ## Diet & Feeding An omnivore that enjoys a varied diet of seeds, nuts, fruits, fungi, and 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 common nocturnal predator. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Hunts them for food. - **Eaten by:** Common Gartersnake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Young mice are prey. - **Depends on:** Red Oak (*Quercus rubra*) — Feeds on its acorns. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [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. - [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 mouse, it's best to watch from a distance and not try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify White-footed 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 White-footed Mouse? 15-20 cm ### How much does White-footed Mouse weigh? 0.02-0.035 kg ### How long does White-footed Mouse live? 1-3 years ### How fast can White-footed Mouse move? 10 km/h ### What does White-footed Mouse eat? An omnivore that enjoys a varied diet of seeds, nuts, fruits, fungi, and insects. ### Where is White-footed Mouse usually found? Forests ### How does White-footed Mouse hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Town Run Trail Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/town-run-trail-park) — Indiana, US · Park - [Center Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/center-street-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Highbridge Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/highbridge-park) — New York, US · Park [View all places to see White-footed Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/white-footed-mouse) ## 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: [White-footed Mouse: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-footed-mouse)