Releasing orphaned field mice - Too cold?

[JudithD]

Originally Posted by valleyforge

Yes, that's right .... she'd be an albino form bred for the pet trade, but originally from the House Mouse (Mus musculus), which is naturally light greyish-brown with dark eyes.

I'd just be interested to know if two unrelated species would continue to coexist together, if Squeeks happens to be something other than a wild House Mouse.

Okay, I took some photos last night when the girls actually stood still! Wilma's pictures came out better. Squeeks was standing half way out of her tube. But, hopefully you can tell?
I have a Photo-bucket account, but my computer not letting me upload the pictures.


Valleyforge, do you have an email and I could email the pictures to you?

Judith

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by JudithD

Valleyforge, do you have an email and I could email the pictures to you?

Sure ... you can send them to me at wildlife[AT]valleyforge.org.uk

Replace [AT] with the @ symbol ... I've just fomatted it like that here so that the address doesn't get picked up by spambots!

[JudithD]

Thanks... It will be coming from AMorristhecat (at) aol.com

I'm not very good with the computer, but I'll try.

[JudithD]

Just sent them over...

Posie, if you'd like them, let me know and I'll send them to you.

Judith

[valleyforge]

Hi Judith,

I received your images thanks, but I can't make out I'm afraid just what species Squeek might be ... although she does look to be a mouse rather than a vole.

In fact she does resemble a European Wood Mouse (long-tailed field mouse) of the species Apodemus sylvaticus (moreso than a house mouse), but whether or not that particular species is present too in Connecticut, I really don't know.

I have enlarged and attached the best of your photos in case any of the other members on the forum can make a definitive identification.

I must say though that Wilma has the biggest ears of any mouse I've ever seen outside of a Hannah-Barbera cartoon.


Squeek


Wilma


Wilma & Squeek

[valleyforge]

With a bit more research, I'm thinking that Squeek might well be of this species: Peromyscus maniculatus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ?

Deer Mice are certainly present throughout New England.

The longevity of this species would also tally well with the last individual that you kept.

[JudithD]

Thank you ValleyForge,
Yes, Wilma does have big ears...

And thank you for posting the pictures for others to see. You are much more proficient with computers than I am. That is for sure.

I can try again to get a full body shot. But she is rather shy when we are close the her aquarium. Around here, we consider them field mice. But, I'd be curious to see if she is something else.

Thanks again,
Judith

[JudithD]

Originally Posted by valleyforge

With a bit more research, I'm thinking that Squeek might well be of this species: Peromyscus maniculatus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ?

Deer Mice are certainly present throughout New England.

The longevity of this species would also tally well with the last individual that you kept.

Very interesting. She is rather small in size. Much smaller than Wilma.
I never realized that mice also ate insects.

It is sad that people are quick to set out traps or poisons, when they are such fascinating little creatures.