| Cactus Mice are found in habitats with sandy soil and scattered vegetation, from low deserts to rocky foothills. They typically live in burrows, but are also found on the surface in piles of debris, vegetation, or rock crevices. They are active at night, feeding on seeds, insects, and green vegetation, and can become torpid during the day. They may estivate (become dormant, with metabolic rate lowered) during hotter and drier months, so as to reduce water loss. In her lifetime, which is probably about a year, a female can bear three or four litters of up to four young.
Sexual Dimorphism:
Females are larger than males.
Length:
Range:
169-218 mm
Weight:
Average:
24 g males; 24 g females
Range:
18-40 g
References:
Baird, S.F., 1857 [1858]. Mammals. In Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, p. 479. Vol. 8, Pt. 1. Mammals. Beverly Tucker Printer, Washington, D.C., 8(1):1-757.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
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