Mammals
Wood Mouse
Apodemus sylvaticus · also called long-tailed field mouse
Under a hedgerow at night, a wood mouse bounds across the leaf litter on long hind legs, its large dark eyes catching the faint light as it hunts for fallen seeds.
Overview
The wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, is a Least Concern rodent found across much of Europe and parts of North Africa. Its large eyes, long tail, and seed-hoarding habits make it one of the most familiar wild mice of woods, hedgerows, and fields.
A mouse of the wild edge
Unlike the house mouse, the wood mouse lives mainly outdoors, where it feeds on the seeds and fruit of the countryside and in turn feeds owls, foxes, and weasels.
Status
Least Concern, among the most common small mammals across its range.
Wood Mouse: common questions
What does the wood mouse eat?
It is an omnivore that feeds on seeds, nuts, fruit, and berries, along with insects and other invertebrates.
Is the wood mouse the same as the house mouse?
No, the wood mouse is a separate species with larger eyes and ears and a longer tail, found mainly outdoors in woods, hedgerows, and fields.
How does the wood mouse help plant trees?
It stores seeds and nuts in underground caches and forgets some of them, so they can sprout into new plants.
Where is the wood mouse found?
It lives across much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and in parts of North Africa.