Wild Wednesday - Harvest mouse
The harvest mouse, scientific name Micromys minutus, is a small rodent native to Europe and Asia, typically found in fields of crops, such as oat and wheat, in reed beds and other tall ground vegetation, such as long grass and hedgerows.
They are the smallest rodents in Europe and the only British mammal to have a ‘prehensile’ tail which means they are able to grasp objects with it, and are known for their climbing abilities and often build nests high in grass or reeds.
These mice have a reddish-yellow coat, a white underside, small hairy ears and a much blunter nose than other mice, a body length of five to eight centimetres and a tail the same length, they weigh five to 11 grams, and live up to 18 months.
Mostly nocturnal, although are active during the day in warm summer months and spend much of their time foraging for food.
Their diet mainly consists of seeds and grains, but they will also consume insects and other plant materials.
Harvest mice shred grasses by pulling them through their teeth and use the strips to weave a hollow nest, about the size of a tennis ball, about 50 – 100cm above the ground, secured to grass stems. They breed multiple times a year, between May and October, with litters typically consisting of three to six young. The young are weaned in about two weeks.
Their main predators are barn owls, stoats, weasels and crows. The species are threatened with starvation in severe winters, and with farming practices such as combine harvesting, stubble burning and pesticides.
While not currently endangered, habitat loss due to agricultural practices poses a threat to their populations.
Read more: Harvest mouse | The Wildlife Trusts