Species MammalsMeadow Jumping Mouse

Meadow Jumping Mouse

Zapus hudsonius

CommonMammal
Illustration of Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius)

The Meadow Jumping Mouse has exceptionally long hind feet and a tail nearly twice its body length, allowing it to leap distances of over three feet when alarmed. It is one of North America's deepest hibernators, entering torpor from October through April or May and losing up to half its body weight during this period. In late summer it rapidly doubles its weight on seeds and berries before dormancy.

Habitat
Moist meadows, shrubby fields, and forest edges
Diet
Seeds, berries, fungi, and insects
How common
Common

Recent Meadow Jumping Mouse sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Meadow Jumping Mouse? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More mammals

Abert's Squirrel
Abert's Squirrel
Sciurus aberti
Agricola's Gracile Opossum
Agricola's Gracile Opossum
Cryptonanus agricolai
Alaska Marmot
Alaska Marmot
Marmota broweri
Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear
Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear
Ursus arctos gyas
Alaskan Hare
Alaskan Hare
Lepus othus
Alaskan Mink
Alaskan Mink
Neogale vison ingens
Alfaro's Pygmy Squirrel
Alfaro's Pygmy Squirrel
Microsciurus alfari
Allen's Big-eared Bat
Allen's Big-eared Bat
Idionycteris phyllotis