# Zapus Zapus is a small, jumping mammal that loves to hop around in grassy areas. They have long back legs and a cute little tail, making them great jumpers! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Zapus](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 Zapus has soft, yellow-brown fur on its back, a distinct darker stripe down its spine, and a pale belly. It possesses very large hind feet for jumping and an incredibly long, thin tail, often twice its body length, used for balance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Dipodidae - **Genus:** Zapus ## Interesting facts - Jumping mice are champion hibernators, sometimes sleeping for more than half a year without eating! - These tiny rodents build cozy nests underground or in thick grass, lined with soft plant materials. - They don't just walk! Zapus can hop like a tiny kangaroo, using their big back feet for amazing bounds. - Zapus's super-long tail can be twice as long as its body, helping it steer and balance during epic jumps. ## Special abilities - **Leaping Acrobat:** Zapus can jump up to 3 meters because of its powerful hind legs and long tail, which helps them escape predators quickly. - **Deep Sleeper:** Zapus has the ability to hibernate for up to six months, saving energy and surviving harsh winters by lowering body temperature. - **Tail Balancer:** Zapus can balance perfectly during amazing leaps thanks to its extra-long tail that acts like a counterweight, helping them land safely. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-10 cm - **Weight:** 0.013-0.027 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-3 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Litter Size:** 3-9 - **Gestation:** 17-21 days ## Diet & Feeding Zapus enjoys a meal of tiny seeds, yummy fungi, sweet berries, and crunchy insects. - **Primary Foods:** Seeds, Fungi, Berries, Beetles, Caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — A common nocturnal predator of small mammals. - **Eaten by:** [Long-tailed Weasel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/long-tailed-weasel) (*Mustela frenata*) — A swift predator that hunts rodents in their habitat. - **Eats:** [Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Consumes the seeds, a common food source in their habitat. - **Eats:** [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus bisporus*) — Feeds on various fungi found on the forest floor. ## 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. - [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. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [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 Zapus, watch quietly and don't try to catch it. They are shy and like to hop away! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Zapus? 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 Zapus? 7-10 cm ### How much does Zapus weigh? 0.013-0.027 kg ### How long does Zapus live? 1-3 years ### How fast can Zapus move? 8 km/h ### What does Zapus eat? Zapus enjoys a meal of tiny seeds, yummy fungi, sweet berries, and crunchy insects. ### Where is Zapus usually found? Grasslands ### How does Zapus 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: [Zapus: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/zapus)