Fun Brush Mouse Facts For Kids

A P. boylii or brush mouse is one of the New World rodent species of the Peromyscus genus found in Central and North America. Like most other mice, the brush mouse is nocturnal in nature and is rarely visible to humans out in the open.

They are found in large numbers throughout their home range and do not face any major threat of extinction as of yet.

They wander around rocks and logs located within the low grass and shrub cover to hide from their predators. Large rodent populations show that these methods of taking cover have certainly helped them achieve success in protecting their species from predators.

The brush mouse plays an important role in the food web by acting as an important food source for many birds and animals. Their food habits also have a significant impact on seed dispersal in the ecosystem. They are divided into four subspecies that are differentiated by the differences in their home ranges.

To know more facts about the brush mouse, keep on reading this fact. For similar content check out Patagonian mara and eastern chipmunk facts too.

Brush Mouse Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a brush mouse?

A brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) is a type of mouse.

What class of animal does a brush mouse belong to?

The brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) is a warm-blooded animal of the genus Peromyscus and the family Cricetidae that belongs to the class of Mammals of Mammalia.

How many brush mouse are there in the world?

The brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) is fairly common. They have a population density of nine to 14 mice per acre. They are not threatened by any major issue as of yet.

Where does a brush mouse live?

Fossils from thousands of years ago of the species of brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) have been discovered in certain parts of North and Central America in the south. Surveys and research from many renowned institutions like the University of New Mexico and Texas Tech University have concluded that their range has not changed since then.

They occur throughout the mountainous regions of northern California. A large number of mice populate northern Sierra Nevada, California.

They are also found in the eastern parts of Colorado and western Texas. In the south, their distribution extends to Baja California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

What is a brush mouse's habitat?

A brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) is found in elevated mountainous regions inhabiting woodland, pine-oak forest, chaparral, and pinyon-juniper. Areas covered with shrubs, rocks, and tree logs are used as nesting sites by this mouse species.

They usually construct nests using brush piles, stumps, and branches in tree cavities or rock crevices. However, their preferences for vegetation and land type may vary within their range according to their places of origin.

In California, this species resides in lands covered with matured chaparral. The Arizonian population lives among mountain plantations like oak and Mahagony shrubs. Their range is mainly persistent, however they prefer open habitats over dense forests.

The height of the shrub in their range plays an important role in their habitat choice. The mouse usually inhabits sites where the height of the shrub ranges between 5-6.5 ft (1.5-2 m).

The presence of rocks in their zone like in mountain chaparral, oak pines, and riparian areas is also important. In Texas, brush mice are found throughout a wide range of habitats ranging from riparian to desert, montane, and grassland.

Although it is not impossible for them to stay in grazed grasslands, mice seem to be more attracted to shrubs, high trees, and rocky outcrops. In New Mexico, abandoned sites like burnt brushlands are also capable of sheltering the brush mice.

Who do brush mice live with?

A P. Boylii or brush mouse lives in groups in tree cavities or crevices. A group of mice is called a colony, horde, harvest, or mischief.

How long does a brush mouse live?

Like most species of rodents, the brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) also has a small lifespan. Only a few individuals live longer than a year just like deer mice. The highest recorded age in this species is 26 months. However, in captivity, they can live up to five years of age.  

How do they reproduce?

Little information is available regarding the mating system of this mouse. The breeding season of the brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) lasts throughout the year reaching a peak during the spring and early summer months.

They make their nest in hidden places like tree cavities. Male and female mice do not stay in the same nest.

The males and females only meet to breed and they separate as soon as the process is over. After a gestation period of 23 days, the female mouse gives birth to two to five babies.

The young are weaned at an early maturation after a period of three to four weeks. A span of 25-31 days is maintained between one litter and the next.

According to information released by a university press, four to seven litters are common in a year for the brush mouse. The female brush mouse reaches sexual maturity after nine weeks while the males take 12-19 weeks to reach sexual maturity.

What is their conservation status?

The brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) is listed as a species of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. The mouse occurs throughout a wide range. Apart from that, a substantially large population and absence of any major threat do not let them fall under the category of threatened species.  

Brush Mouse Fun Facts

What do brush mouse look like?

A P. boylii or brush mouse is a medium-sized mouse with a long tail. The fur is yellowish-brown on the upper side with grey lower parts.

The biology of Peromyscus boylii is very similar to other species of mice like deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and white-footed mice. They can be separated from them by their long tail and small ears.

* Please note that this is an image of a deer mouse. If you have an image of a brush mouse please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.

How cute are they?

A P. boylii or brush mouse looks similar to the common species of rodents without any special or attractive features. The pups might appear cute to some.

How do they communicate?

The brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) has a keen sight that alarms them when a predator approaches it. They use chemical cues and release pheromones to communicate with each other.

How big is a brush mouse?

The total length of a brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) ranges between 7-8 in (175-210 mm). They are nine times smaller than the white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus).

How fast can a brush mouse move?

The speed of a brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) is not known.

How much does a brush mouse weigh?

The weight of a brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) ranges between 0.8-1.3 oz (22-36 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

A male mouse is called a buck and a female mouse is called a doe.

What would you call a baby brush mouse?

A baby mouse is called a kitten, pup, or pinkie.

What do they eat?

The brush mouse has an omnivorous diet. The mouse feeds on invertebrates, cutworms, arthropods, and insects throughout the year. Acorn seeds form a major part of their diet during the season of acorns.

Are they poisonous?

The Peromyscus boylii (brush mouse) is not poisonous or dangerous.  

Would they make a good pet?

No, brush mice are wild creatures that cannot be kept as pets. Their feces are also capable of spreading a harmful virus.

Did you know...

The feces of brush mice are capable of spreading a dangerous air-borne virus called Hantavirus. The virus is capable of creating a deadly disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in humans.

Deer mice that belong to the same genus as brush mice use their ability to climb to survive. They look like small deer which is how they got their name.

Some of the common predators of the brush mouse are northern goshawk, spotted owl, coyote, foxes like a common gray fox and swift fox, striped skunk, hooded skunk, and snakes.

How does the brush mouse help in seed dispersal?

The mouse consumes seed food and the seeds that get stuck to their mouth are dispersed in various places as they move. Plants grow from the dispersed seeds in those places. In this way, they partially help in reforestation.

How active are they?

The brush mouse is active all throughout the year and they are capable of producing multiple litters in a single year.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these woodchucks facts and roborovski dwarf hamster facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable brush mouse coloring pages.