What does a deer mouse look like? - briefly
A deer mouse is a small rodent about 3–4 inches long, with reddish‑brown dorsal fur, a pale underside, conspicuously large eyes, and a long, slender, tufted tail. Its ears are modest, and its feet are equipped with sharp claws for climbing.
What does a deer mouse look like? - in detail
The deer mouse is a small rodent measuring 2.5–4 inches (6–10 cm) in head‑body length, with a tail roughly equal to or slightly longer than the body. Its body is slender, the neck is distinct, and the limbs are proportionally short.
Fur is soft and dense, typically reddish‑brown on the dorsal surface, grading to a lighter gray‑brown on the sides. The ventral side is pale gray‑white, often with a faint pinkish tinge on the belly. The tail is bicolored: dark on the upper side and lighter beneath, covered with fine hairs rather than being naked. Ears are relatively large, rounded, and set high on the skull, exposing a thin membrane of pink skin. Eyes are large, dark, and positioned laterally, providing a wide field of vision.
Key identification traits:
- Head‑body length: 6–10 cm (2.5–4 in)
- Tail length: 8–12 cm (3–4.5 in), bicolored, hair‑covered
- Dorsal fur: reddish‑brown, coarse
- Ventral fur: pale gray‑white, sometimes pinkish
- Ears: large, rounded, pink membrane
- Eyes: large, dark, lateral placement
- Feet: five toes with small claws, pads lightly furred
These characteristics distinguish the species from other small North American rodents, such as the house mouse, which lacks the reddish dorsal coloration and the bicolored, hairy tail.