What is a field mouse? - briefly
A field mouse is a small, nocturnal rodent of the genus Apodemus that occupies open grasslands, farms, and hedgerows across Europe and parts of Asia. It consumes seeds, insects, and plant matter and is a common prey species for many predators.
What is a field mouse? - in detail
Field mice belong to the genus Apodemus and related genera within the family Muridae. They are small, nocturnal rodents native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia and parts of North America. Adult body length ranges from 7 to 10 cm, with a tail roughly equal in length; weight typically falls between 15 and 30 g. Fur coloration varies from gray‑brown to reddish‑brown, providing camouflage among grasses and leaf litter.
These mammals inhabit open fields, meadows, agricultural lands and the edges of woodlands. They construct shallow burrows or use existing cavities under stones and dense vegetation. Home ranges are modest, usually less than 100 m², and individuals display territorial behavior during the breeding season.
Diet consists mainly of seeds, grains, insects and occasional plant material. Food is gathered on the ground and stored in small caches near the nest. Seasonal shifts in availability lead to increased consumption of insects in spring and reliance on stored seeds during winter.
Reproduction occurs from early spring to late summer. Females produce two to three litters per year, each containing three to seven pups. Gestation lasts approximately 21 days; newborns are altricial, blind and hairless, gaining independence after three weeks. Rapid maturation enables populations to expand quickly when conditions are favorable.
Predators include birds of prey, foxes, weasels and domestic cats. Field mice serve as a key prey item, supporting higher trophic levels. Their high reproductive rate compensates for predation pressure and environmental fluctuations.
Human activities affect field mouse populations both positively and negatively. Crop cultivation supplies abundant food, encouraging population growth, while intensive pesticide use and habitat fragmentation reduce survival rates. Monitoring programs track abundance to assess ecosystem health and agricultural impact.
Conservation status is generally of least concern across most of their range. Localized declines may occur in areas with severe habitat loss or extreme pesticide exposure. Management strategies focus on preserving field margins, reducing chemical inputs and maintaining natural predator communities.