What is a gray-backed mouse? - briefly
The gray‑backed mouse is a small North American rodent with a muted gray dorsal coat and lighter belly, typically found in grassland and open woodland habitats. It is nocturnal, feeds on seeds and insects, and exhibits rapid breeding cycles.
What is a gray-backed mouse? - in detail
The gray‑backed mouse is a small rodent belonging to the family Muridae, genus Peromyscus. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, occupying arid scrublands, rocky outcrops, and desert foothills. Adult individuals weigh 15–25 g and measure 70–95 mm from nose to base of the tail; the tail adds another 80–110 mm. The dorsal pelage exhibits a uniform slate‑gray coloration, while the ventral side is pale cream, providing camouflage against the substrate.
Key morphological features include:
- Large, dark eyes adapted for nocturnal activity.
- Prominent whiskers that aid in navigation through narrow crevices.
- Sharp, ungrooved incisors for gnawing seeds and vegetation.
Habitat preferences are characterized by sparse vegetation, abundant ground cover such as cactus pads, and access to shallow burrows. The species constructs simple tunnel systems up to 30 cm deep, often utilizing existing spaces created by other desert fauna.
Diet consists primarily of seeds, nuts, and green plant material; occasional insect consumption supplements protein intake during the breeding season. Foraging occurs mainly at night, with individuals covering a home range of 0.2–0.5 ha.
Reproductive biology:
- Breeding peaks in spring and early summer.
- Females produce 2–3 litters per year, each containing 3–5 altricial pups.
- Gestation lasts approximately 23 days; weaning occurs around 21 days post‑birth.
Predators include owls, foxes, and snakes. Anti‑predator behavior involves rapid sprinting and the use of cryptic coloration to remain undetected.
Conservation status is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, owing to a broad distribution and stable population trends. Threats are localized, primarily habitat alteration from agricultural expansion and urban development.
Research on this species provides insight into desert ecosystem dynamics, population genetics, and adaptive strategies for survival in extreme environments.