What is a field mouse called? - briefly
The animal commonly known as a field mouse is the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). In North America, comparable species are often called meadow mice or deer mice (Peromyscus spp.).
What is a field mouse called? - in detail
The animal commonly referred to as a field mouse belongs to the genus Apodemus in the family Muridae. The most widespread species in Europe and parts of Asia is Apodemus sylvaticus, known as the wood mouse, which frequently inhabits open fields, hedgerows, and cultivated land. In North America, the equivalent is the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), often called a field mouse in colloquial speech, though it is taxonomically a vole rather than a true mouse.
Typical names applied to these rodents include:
- Wood mouse
- Meadow mouse
- Field vole (North American usage)
- Common field mouse (informal)
Scientific classification clarifies the distinction: true mice belong to the subfamily Murinae, while voles are placed in the subfamily Arvicolinae. The term “field mouse” therefore serves as a generic label for small, ground‑dwelling murids encountered in agricultural or grassland habitats, rather than a precise taxonomic identifier.
Key characteristics of the species most often labeled as a field mouse:
- Body length 6–10 cm, tail 5–8 cm
- Fur coloration ranging from brown to gray, with a lighter underside
- Omnivorous diet: seeds, insects, and plant material
- High reproductive rate: up to five litters per year, each with 4–7 offspring
Understanding the proper nomenclature aids communication in ecological research, pest management, and wildlife conservation, ensuring that the specific species involved are correctly identified.