What do field mice eat in winter? - briefly
In winter, field mice subsist on cached seeds, nuts, dried grasses, and bark or cambium when fresh vegetation is unavailable. Occasionally they supplement this diet with insects trapped beneath the snow.
What do field mice eat in winter? - in detail
Field mice sustain themselves during the cold season primarily through stored provisions and limited foraging. Their winter intake consists of:
- Seed reserves accumulated in underground caches, including grass seeds, wheat kernels, and millet.
- Nut fragments such as hazelnut shells and acorn pieces gathered in late autumn.
- Grain remnants left in fields, especially barley and oats that remain accessible under snow cover.
- Bark and cambium from low shrubs, providing carbohydrates when other sources are scarce.
- Insect larvae and pupae found in leaf litter, offering protein during brief thaws.
- Fungal mycelium and spores present in decaying wood, supplementing dietary fiber.
During short periods of milder weather, field mice may emerge to gnaw fresh buds and young shoots, extending their nutrient intake. Their metabolic rate declines, reducing overall caloric demand, while the reliance on pre‑stored food ensures survival until spring vegetation resumes.