Search Field Guide
Advanced Search
Montana Animal Field Guide

Montana Field Guides

Western Jumping Mouse - Zapus princeps

Google for more images Google for web pages

Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S4

Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 3





 

General Description
We do not yet have descriptive information on this species.  Please try the buttons above to search for information from other sources.

General Distribution
Montana Range



Western Hemisphere Range

 


Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana
Number of Observations: 389

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

 

(Records associated with a range of dates are excluded from time charts)



Migration
Non-migratory.

Habitat
Usually tall grass along streams, with or without a brush or tree canopy. Also dry grasslands in N. Central MT. Mesic forests with sparse understory herbage in W. MT. From valley floors to timberline & alpine wet sedge meadows (Hoffmann and Pattie 1968).

Food Habits
Seeds are important prehibernation food. Accumulates fat reserves of up to 2/3 body weight. Does not chache food in or near winter nest. (Jones et al. 1983).

Ecology
Nests are in mounds or banks elevated above surrounding ground (well-drained). Nests usually 2 feet underground, shredded vegetation insulative core. Single burrow 3-4 feet long. Entrance plugged (Jones et al. 1983).

Reproductive Characteristics
Young continue to nurse after they have begun eating solid food.

Citations & Sources
  • Burt, W. H. and R. P. Grossenheider. 1964. A field guide to the mammals. 2nd edition. The Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, MA.
  • Foresman, K.R. 2001. The wild mammals of Montana. Special Publication No. 12. American Society of Mammalogists
  • Kritzman, Ellen B. 1977. Little mammals of the Pacific Northwest. Pacific Search Press, Seattle, WA.
  • Zeveloff, S. I. 1988. Mammals of the Intermountain West. Univ. of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Additional Sources of Information Related to "Mammals"
Login Logout
Citation for data on this website:
Western Jumping Mouse — Zapus princeps.  Montana Field Guide.  Retrieved on February 9, 2010, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_AMAFH01020.aspx
 
There are currently 58 active users in the Montana Field Guide.