Northern Birch Mouse

About this species

Diet

Seeds, berries and invertebrates

Habitat

Moist forest edges, meadows and scrub

The northern birch mouse is a tiny, slender rodent with a very long, lightly haired tail and a distinct dark stripe running from the head along the middle of the back. The surrounding fur is yellowish or grey-brown and the underside paler. Its hind legs are somewhat elongated, but it moves through vegetation by climbing and small bounds rather than the powerful leaps of a jerboa. Rounded ears and a pointed muzzle complete its delicate appearance. (Wikipedia, northern birch mouse account)

Northern birch mice use moist meadows, forest edges, clearings and shrubby vegetation across northern Eurasia. They are mainly nocturnal, climb stems and low bushes, and eat seeds, berries and invertebrates. During cold weather they hibernate for many months in an underground nest, relying on stored body fat rather than a food cache. Females normally raise a single summer litter. The opened account did not provide Mongolia-specific distribution or a named site, so these statements describe the species generally. (Wikipedia, northern birch mouse account)

Description: Wildlife of Mongolia guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)