What is a Siberian mouse? - briefly
The Siberian mouse is a small rodent native to Siberian forests and tundra, distinguished by dense fur and a high tolerance for extreme cold. It feeds on seeds, insects and other plant material.
What is a Siberian mouse? - in detail
The Siberian mouse (Myodes rutilus) belongs to the family Cricetidae, order Rodentia. It is a small, ground‑dwelling rodent native to the boreal zones of northern Eurasia.
Adults measure 8–12 cm in body length, with a tail of 5–7 cm. Dense fur ranges from reddish‑brown on the back to gray‑white on the ventral side, providing insulation against subzero temperatures. Large, rounded ears and a blunt snout distinguish it from neighboring vole species.
The species inhabits taiga forests, tundra margins, and alpine meadows across Siberia, extending into the Russian Far East and parts of northern Mongolia. It prefers moist soils with abundant ground cover, where snow insulation maintains a stable microclimate during winter.
Primarily nocturnal, the mouse constructs shallow burrows lined with vegetation. Individuals exhibit limited territoriality; overlapping home ranges facilitate occasional social interactions, especially during the breeding season.
Diet consists of:
- Seeds and grains from grasses and sedges
- Fresh and dried herbaceous vegetation
- Invertebrates such as beetles and larvae
- Fungal spores when available
Reproduction occurs from May to August. Females produce 2–4 litters per season, each containing 3–7 offspring. Gestation lasts approximately 21 days; juveniles reach sexual maturity within 6 weeks.
Predators include owls, foxes, and mustelids. Adaptations to extreme cold involve a high basal metabolic rate, seasonal fur thickening, and the ability to lower body temperature during prolonged periods of food scarcity.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the animal as Least Concern, citing a wide distribution and stable population trends. Localized threats arise from habitat fragmentation due to logging and mining activities, which reduce suitable cover and food resources.
Monitoring programs focus on population density assessments and habitat quality evaluations to ensure long‑term viability across its range.