Harvest mouse in hogweed


Harvest mice have red-brown fur with white underparts. Young harvest mice are more grey-brown coloured. Harvest mice are active day and night, although in the summer they are more active at night, and in the winter they're more active during the day. Although they don't hibernate during the winter, they spend a lot of time underground where they often store food. In the summer the females make a spherical breeding nest from grass amongst tall vegetation. The nest is about the size of a tennis ball. Breeding can take place anytime between May and October. They have two or three litters each year, although most litters occur in August. The young are suckled until they are about 9 days old. After that they are given solid food - frequently chewed seeds. When the young reach around 18 days of age the mother drives them away from the nest. By the time they are six weeks old they are able to breed themselves.


Size: 3744px × 5616px
Location: uk
Photo credit: © TomsPhotos / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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