Meadow Jumping Mouse
Zapus hudsonius
Z. hudsonius is characterized by its smaller size compared to Z. princeps and Z. trinotatus, a dark dorsal stripe, and yellowish-brown or ochraceous sides. The tail is ve…
How to identify
Z. hudsonius is characterized by its smaller size compared to Z. princeps and Z. trinotatus, a dark dorsal stripe, and yellowish-brown or ochraceous sides. The tail is very long. The upper incisors are grooved. Total length ranges from 180-240 mm.
Range
Z. hudsonius is found across much of eastern Canada and the United States, from Newfoundland and Labrador west to the Great Plains and south to the Carolinas and northern Georgia.
Habitat
Z. hudsonius prefers moist meadows, grasslands, and forest edges, often near streams or other water sources.
Similar species
Z. hudsonius can be confused with Z. princeps in areas of range overlap. However, Z. hudsonius is generally smaller and has less vibrant coloration.
Name and etymology
Genus
Zapus
Greek for very (za-) foot (pous)
Origin
Sources
- Palmer, Index Generum Mammalium (1904) ↗
Palmer, T. S. 1904. Index Generum Mammalium: a list of the genera and families of mammals. North American Fauna 23. Government Printing Office, Washington. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.39809
Species epithet
hudsonius
Referencing Hudson Bay
Sources
- Wikipedia: Zapus hudsonius ↗
“Zapus hudsonius.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meadow_jumping_mouse
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
Z. hudsonius is found across much of eastern Canada and the United States, from Newfoundland and Labrador west to the Great P…
Habitat
Z. hudsonius prefers moist meadows, grasslands, and forest edges, often near streams or other water sources.
Guide
Mammals of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap