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DEER MOUSE DEER MOUSE DEER MOUSE DEER MOUSE

National Park Service National Park Service National Park Service National Park Service
Photo by John Good Photo by John Good Photo by John Good Photo by John Good
DEER MOUSE DEER MOUSE DEER MOUSE DEER MOUSE

Life Cycle Life Cycle
Deer mice have 3-6 young in each litter, and can have 3-4 litters each Deer mice have 3-6 young in each litter, and can have 3-4 litters each
year. The greatest population surge is in the spring. They live about year. The greatest population surge is in the spring. They live about
two years in the wild. two years in the wild.

A Actual Body Size 3”ctual Body Size 3” Actual Body Size 3”ctual Body Size 3”
A
Drawing Courtesy of US ARMY Drawing Courtesy of US ARMY

DEER MOUSE DEER MOUSE
Deer Mice can be a pest in that they will commonly invade homes, frequently setting up nests in attics. Deer Mice can be a pest in that they will commonly invade homes, frequently setting up nests in attics.
Nests are also created in burrows in the ground, and in trees or stumps. They are slightly larger than Nests are also created in burrows in the ground, and in trees or stumps. They are slightly larger than
the common House mouse, the body being about 3-4 inches long. They are nocturnal, and feed on the common House mouse, the body being about 3-4 inches long. They are nocturnal, and feed on
seeds and fruits in the wild, but will eat whatever is available inside a house. Deer mice will store food seeds and fruits in the wild, but will eat whatever is available inside a house. Deer mice will store food
near the nest. They can even destroy furniture, cardboard, and paper products to obtain nesting materi- near the nest. They can even destroy furniture, cardboard, and paper products to obtain nesting materi-
als. They also commonly spread hantavirus, which can be a problem for man. Hantavirus is spread by als. They also commonly spread hantavirus, which can be a problem for man. Hantavirus is spread by
dust, and working around a Deer Mouse infestation requires a special respirator. dust, and working around a Deer Mouse infestation requires a special respirator.

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