Wild Wednesday - Wood mouse
The wood mouse, scientific name, Apodemus sylvaticus, is a small mammal native to the UK and is commonly found in woodland, grasslands, hedgerows, and even urban areas. It is one of the most common mouse species in the UK and is distinguished by its larger size compared to other mice in this country.
They have a reddish-brown or greyish-brown fur on the back, with a creamy-white belly, less uniform than house mouse. The tail is usually bicolored, dark on the top and lighter underneath. Back feet are large which gives a good spring when leaping.
Adult mice typically measure around nine to eleven centimetres in body length, with a tail of about seven to nine centimetres, and weigh between 12 to 30 grams.
Wood mice have a short lifespan living for an average of one year, and it is rare for adults to survive from one summer to the next.
These mice are nocturnal and are most active during the evening and night. They are excellent climbers and swimmers and are often found in trees or shrubs. They are omnivores, feeding on seeds, fruits, invertebrates, and fungi.
They often build nests in vegetation, under rocks, or in hollow trees which are commonly made of leaves, moss and grass. They are usually built below ground under the roots of shrubs or trees but occasionally are found in holes in trees, buildings and bird or dormouse nest boxes.
The breeding season is between February and October, with litters of typically four to six young. They mature quickly, often reaching maturity by two to three months of age.
The wood mouse is not considered endangered in the UK and is classified as a species of least concern. However, it plays a key role in the ecosystem as prey for many predators like owls, foxes, and snakes and plays a role in seed dispersal, helping plants to propagate across different areas.
Many people regard the wood mouse as a pest since it can do considerable damage on agricultural land, digging up crop seeds and eating crop seedlings. Gardeners are not too keen on wood mice digging up their seeds either.
Read more: Wood mouse | The Wildlife Trusts