Re: Small Mice

[trish1234567]

I am visited by the smallest mouse imaginable in and out of my garden rockery that feeds on the seed beneath the bird table. My husband says it is just a field mouse but you could easily get half a dozen of these in the palm of one's hand. I remember when I was younger that when the cat brough home a field mouse as a present and left it on the back door mat, it was always much bigger. Does any Aber know what species this mouse might be? Thanks.

[trish1234567]

Hi Redhelen. I did think of a dormouse, but would one be so small. This one has a really long very thin tail. I do know that the smaller the animal, the shorter the life. However we had such a visitor about three years ago and I actually photographed
him/her, but I think this must be one of the offspring. It always comes under the fence from next door so I know it isn't resident in my garden! I will look up dormouse and see how small one is. Thanks for your interest.

[Chaffinch]

Could it be a Harvest Mouse, they are very small and also quite rare, so your lucky if you have them. Doormice are bigger.

[feebee102]

A Shrew ?

[trish1234567]

Yes, you've got to be right chaffinch. I'm quite close to cornfields.

Why did I not come up with that answer........? The mouse is small enough to climb up a stalk of corn and I have had the odd stalks of corn growing in the garden. Thanks.

[carmalee]

have exactly the same thing trish - have only caught a glimpse and not been able to check out the tail to see whether it's bushy or not. They dart out from beneath the bird bath but I've left the grass a bit long there now so they have a bit of cover so I don't get to see them very much now. There's about four/five entrances and exits.

[Chaffinch]

Trish and Carmalee, soooooooooo jelouse x

[wildwood]

I am so glad nobody has come on here to serve up methods to kill the mouse.

[starone]

Outdoor mice are ok - it is only when you get them inside the house that they become a nuisance, and if you have a cat that will not normally happen.

[TonyV]

wildwood trish did'nt ask for that she asked for id - really diifficult to call trish - could be a field. door, or another

[TonyV]

do any of these look familiar
http://www.animalcorn...ishwildlife/mice.html

[wildwood]

TonyV, you really should read answers better before passing commend on them. Usually at the mere mention of a rat or mouse in Animals & Nature, someone pipes up with an idea to kiil the thing. I was just glad that nobody did.

[carmalee]

thanks for that tony v - I think the ones by my bird bath are probably field mice. The one who overwintered in the boot room was a yellow necked mouse (aka -Mensa Mouse) as he/she evaded capture for about four weeks this Spring. Would set the trap (humane btw) each evening but next morning bait removed, trap sprung but no mouse. Got to the stage he/she began to leave notes for what kind of bait to use! Finally captured the beastie and released him/her well away from my house. 'Spect it took a map to find it's way back this Winter.

[trish1234567]

Tony-v – looked at the site you mentioned which was very enlightening and yes, that is his/her picture. Gestation 17/19 days – certainly hope it isn't a female! One would have to be very cruel to want to kill this little creature.
Had to look up prehensile tail, the tail was certainly very long and thin and could be used in the way described. I think this little creature could easily climb up a stalk of corn to the ear without it even swaying. Luckily, haven't seen any larger mice around.