How much does a field mouse eat? - briefly
An adult field mouse consumes roughly 4–6 % of its body weight daily, about 0.2–0.5 grams of seeds, grains, and occasional insects. Intake increases in winter, prompting more frequent foraging to meet energy needs.
How much does a field mouse eat? - in detail
Field mice (Microtus spp.) typically consume between 2 % and 4 % of their body mass each day. For an adult weighing 20 g, this translates to roughly 0.4–0.8 g of food per 24 hours. Consumption varies with season, temperature, reproductive status, and food availability.
Key factors influencing intake:
- Seasonal changes – in winter, metabolic demands rise, prompting higher consumption of stored seeds and grasses; during summer, abundant vegetation reduces the need for large quantities.
- Reproductive cycle – pregnant or lactating females increase intake by up to 50 % to support fetal growth and milk production.
- Food type – high‑energy seeds (e.g., wheat, oats) are eaten more rapidly than low‑calorie foliage; insects may supplement protein when available.
- Temperature – colder conditions elevate basal metabolic rate, leading to greater daily food requirements.
Typical diet composition includes:
- Grasses and herbaceous stems (30–50 % of dry matter)
- Seeds and grains (20–35 %)
- Roots and tubers (10–15 %)
- Invertebrates (5–10 %) when present
Water intake is modest; field mice obtain most moisture from their food, drinking only when ambient humidity is low.
Overall, a healthy adult field mouse will ingest roughly half a gram of dry matter per day, adjusting upward during breeding or cold periods and downward when food is plentiful and metabolic demands are low.