Where do field mice hibernate? - briefly
Field mice overwinter in underground burrows or concealed nests hidden in leaf litter, dense vegetation, or under stones, where the insulated environment protects them from freezing temperatures.
Where do field mice hibernate? - in detail
Field mice seek insulated microhabitats that protect them from freezing temperatures and predators during the winter months. Their primary shelters are located beneath the soil surface, where the ground remains above 0 °C for most of the season. Typical underground sites include:
- Burrows abandoned by other rodents or insects, often lined with shredded vegetation.
- Natural crevices in loess or sandy soils that retain moisture and provide stable temperature.
- Spaces under decaying logs, stumps, or dense leaf litter that create a thin insulating layer.
When surface conditions become too harsh, field mice may also occupy above‑ground refuges that offer comparable protection. Common above‑ground options are:
- Hollow stems of tall grasses or reeds, especially those that retain some moisture.
- Compact nests constructed from grass, moss, and shredded bark within dense shrubbery.
- Small cavities in stone walls or masonry, where ambient temperature fluctuates less dramatically than in open air.
Selection of a wintering site depends on local climate, soil composition, and availability of cover. In colder regions, mice preferentially choose deeper burrows, sometimes extending 30–50 cm below ground, to exploit the thermal inertia of the earth. In milder zones, shallow nests among ground vegetation may suffice.
Food storage accompanies the chosen shelter. Mice often cache seeds, grains, and insects within the same chamber, reducing the need to leave the site during periods of low temperature. The combination of insulated location and readily available provisions enables field mice to maintain metabolic rates low enough for successful overwintering.