Eastern Harvest Mouse

Scientific Name
Reithrodontomys humulis
Also Known As
Eastern Harvest Mouse
Range
Northern and Central Florida
Diet
Seeds, Weeds, Insects
Life Expectancy
5 - 8 Months
Florida Eastern Harvest Mouse

Photo 71474099 (c) Joe Girgente, CC BY-NC

Eastern Harvest Mouse conservation status - Least Concern

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Eastern Harvest Mouse in Central Florida

The eastern harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys humulis) is a small rodent species found throughout the southeastern United States, including central Florida.

Often overlooked due to its tiny size, the eastern harvest mouse plays an important ecological role as prey for raptors and snakes. This guide covers identification features, biology, habitat preferences, diet, health risks, and prevention tips for the eastern harvest mouse in central Florida.

Appearance and Identification

The Eastern Harvest Mouse can be identified by the following juvenile and adult characteristics

The Eastern Harvest Mouse

Photo 71474099 (c) Joe Girgente, CC BY-NC

Adult Eastern Harvest Mice

  • Size: Adults reach about 6-10 cm long including the 4-7 cm tail. They weigh just 4-8 grams.
  • Fur: The dorsal fur is brownish-gray with black tips, providing camouflage. The ventral fur is white to light gray.
  • Tail: Long slender tail with fine hairs and annulated scale pattern. Used for balance.
  • Hind feet: Enlarged hind feet with elongated 4th digit for grasping stems. Front feet are smaller with shorter digits.
  • Ears: Prominent, thin ears.
  • Rostrum: Pointed nose and long mystacial vibrissae (whiskers).

Juvenile Eastern Harvest Mice

  • Size: Newborns weigh just 2-4 grams and are about 2.5 cm long including the tail. They reach an adult size of 4-8 grams and 6-10 cm long with tail by 5-6 weeks old.
  • Fur: Juvenile fur is grayish overall with some brown hues. The underside is paler gray. The fine, soft fur helps them blend into vegetation.
  • Features: Proportionally, juveniles have larger hind feet, ears, and eyes compared to the body which is more rounded. The tail is slender with very fine hairs.

The eastern harvest mouse is distinguished from the similar western harvest mouse by its darker fur and more eastern range. It lacks the climbing adaptions of the white-footed mouse which has shorter limbs and tail.

Maturation Rate

Newborn eastern harvest mice weigh only 2-4 grams but grow rapidly. Their ears open by 3-4 days old and eyes by 5-6 days old. Fine gray fur grows in by 1 week old. They are weaned by 2 weeks of age.

By 3-4 weeks old, the young are completely independent and leave the nest. They reach full adult size by 5-6 weeks old. Reproductive maturity occurs between 6-8 weeks of age and first litters are produced by about 10 weeks old.

Habits and Behavior

The eastern harvest mouse is mainly nocturnal and solitary. It constructs woven nests of grasses and leaves on the ground or low in vegetation including grass clumps, shrubs, and vines. Runways through dense ground vegetation interconnect nest sites and feeding areas.

Eastern harvest mice are agile climbers but spend most of their time on the ground. Home range sizes average 0.1-0.2 hectares. They tend to forage relatively close to their nests. During the day, they remain hidden in nests or sheltered spots on the ground.

Reproduction and Lifespan

The breeding season for eastern harvest mice spans spring through fall with most litters born between May and October. Females produce 2-3 litters per year ranging from 2-8 young. Gestation takes 23-25 days. The young are born hairless, with ears and eyes closed.

Weaning begins around 2 weeks and the young leave the nest by 3 weeks old. Sexual maturity is reached by 6-8 weeks of age. Average lifespan in the wild is just 5-8 months, while captive mice may live over a year. High reproduction balances their short lifespans and vulnerability to predators.