Diastema 1 pair incisors

• • • Diastema 1 pair incisors Ears shorter than tail Eyes, ears visible Tail naked; annulations visible • Tail not longer than head and body • Dorsal, ventral pelage nearly same color Order Rodentia Family Muridae Rattus norvegicus

Rattus norvegicus Identification: Ratlike size; brown dorsum and slightly lighter venter; naked tail; little hair on ears; abdomen swollen anterior to tail (TL 315 -460 mm) Distribution: Statewide

Habitat: Almost exclusively near human habitations; confined to 1 st floor and basement in buildings Diet: Grain, food scraps, chicken eggs, chicks Reproduction: Up to 12 litters of as many as 12 young annually Conservation: Introduced; common Rattus norvegicus

Other: Introduced in 1700 s; damages food stores; historically significant as vector of bacterium causing bubonic plague Rattus norvegicus http: //www. insecta-inspecta. com http: //www. columbia. edu

Mus Musculus House Mouse By Heather Reynolds

Mus Musculus • Id: small mouse, grayish-brown pelage, tail dark and nearly naked, ears naked. – – Harvest Mouse: reddish back, lighter venter. Peromyscus: white venter. • Distribution: statewide; Asia, Turkey. China; found anywhere from equator to sub-polar islands. • Habitat: urban areas, old fields, disturbed areas. • Diet: opportunistic; cereal, peanut butter, corn, seeds, insects.

Mus Musculus • Reproduction: 18 -21 day gestation, 3 -16 young, several litters a year. • Conservation Status: pest species, actively eradicated from homes and buildings.

Fame and Fortune for Musculus

References for Musculus • Jones, J. K. and E. C. Birney. 1988. Handbook of Mammals of the North Central States. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 296 pp. • Kays, R. and D. E. Wilson. 2002. Mammals of North America. Princeton University Press. Princeton University, New Jersey. 112 pp. • Martin, A. C. , et al. 1951. American Wildlife and Plants: A Guide to Wildlife Feeding Habits. General Publishing Co. Toronto, Ontario. 264 pp. • http: //www. naturalhistorymag. com/0402 feature. html. 25 October 2004. • http: //www. washington. edu/burkemuseum/collections/mammology/ma mwash/mumu. html. 25 October 2004.

Picture References for Musculus • Fancy mice: http: //www. ax. sakura. ne. jp/~hy 4477/link/zukan/sonota/mouse 01. jpg. 25 October 2004. • Baby mice: http: //ddd. cirbus. com/images/musmus_small. jpg. 25 October 2004. • Lab mouse: http: //www. ebi. ac. uk/~magrane/mouse. gif. 25 October 2004. • Mickey mouse: http: //www. oneposter. com/userdata/poster_6127. jpg. 25 October 2004. • Tom and Jerry: http: //www. gorasini. hr/erazglednice/displayimage. php? album=lastcom&pid=51. 25 October 2004.

• • • Diastema 1 pair incisors Ears shorter than tail Eyes, ears visible Tail furred Tail much longer than head and body • Hind feet elongate Order Rodentia Family Zapodidae Zapus hudsonius

Zapus hudsonius Identification: Pelage coarse with dark brown dorsal band; yellowish flanks; venter white; bicolored tail Distribution: Statewide Habitat: Moist grassland, weedy habitats

Diet: Seeds, fruits, fungus, invertebrates Reproduction: 2 litters of 2 -8 annually Conservation: Common Other: Hops only when scared or pursued Zapus hudsonius