Head and body length of Peromyscus species range from
70-170 mm and tail lengths are 40-205 mm. There are 2 subgenera
and 55 species.
P. eremicus has soft dense fur and large ears which are
covered with fine hairs. The tail is about one third the length
of the total length of this mouse, and is also covered with
fine hairs. Females have four or six mammae.
The
preferred habitat is deep woodlands and brushy areas. Several
nest are built each year and are line with soft down from plants
or other materials which are shredded. Once a nest is soiled
it is abandoned and another is constructed.
P. eremicus breeds throughout the year. Estrous cycles
last an average of 7 days, gestation periods range from 21-27
days for non-lactating females and as much as 40 days for lactating
females. Overall weights for newborn Peromyscus is 2.2
grams and the eyes open at about 2 weeks of age. Mean litter
size for the species is 3.4 young. Most are weaned at 3-4 weeks
old and stay with their mother for another month.
P. eremicus is found in bottomland
hardwood forests and swamps in SE California, S Nevada, and
SW Utah east to Trans-Pecos Texas (USA); south along mainland
coast to C Sinaloa, and on the Mexican Plateau to N Zacatecas
and S San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
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