Deer Mouse

Peromyscus maniculatus

The Deer Mouse can live for 5-7 years, compared to a field mouse who only live 2-3 years. They are nocturnal, and omnivorous, meaning they only come out at night and they eat everything from beetles to grass seeds. They store their food in ?caches? in order to survive the winter. Deer mice are highly adaptable and are found in a variety of different terrestrial habitats at all elevations ranging from prairies, forests, and occasionally human dwellings. Deer Mice are semi-arboreal, they climb well, they can swim, and may???? forage in shallow water They are quite accomplished runners an jumpers, which is why they are called ?deer? mice.?

Hispid Pocket Mouse

Chaetodipus hispidus

Hispid pocket mice inhabit a variety of upland habitats, but are most?? abundant in areas with sandy soils and patches of bare ground. They are also found all over Texas, except in the far south. Essentially granivores, the diet of the hispid pocket mouse consists primarily of seeds it selectively gathers, though these mice do consume some insects and leaves. Hispid pocket mice are solitary. Our Hispid Pocket Mouse is named Squeezy.? He was rescued and hand raised by Wichita Falls Reptile Rescue after his mother was discovered deceased. He is very friendly and enjoys being? petted and absolutely loves sweet stuff!

Norway Rat

?Rattus norvegicus

Thought to have originated in northern China, this rodent has now spread to all continents except Antarctica, and is the dominant rat in Europe and much of North America making it the most successful mammal on the planet after humans.?Indeed, with rare exceptions, the brown rat lives wherever humans live, particularly in urban areas.? The brown rat is usually active at night and is a good swimmer, both on the surface and underwater, but unlike the related black rat (Rattus rattus), they are poor climbers. Brown rats dig well, and often excavate extensive burrow systems. The brown rat is a true omnivore and will consume almost anything, but grains form a substantial part of its diet. Rats commonly groom each other and sleep together.?As with dogs, rats create a social hierarchy, and each rat has its own place in the pack.

This is Cinderella, she is a dumbo eared hairless rat. She?s an excellent example of selective breeding and how it can change an animals appearance. Selective breeding is the process of breeding?plants?and?animals?for particular traits. In her case the traits bred for was hairlessness and droopy ears, which are both are recessive. Humans have used selective breeding for over 2,000 years on plants and animals.

Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs

Cynomys ludovicianus

Black-tailed prairie dogs are intelligent, social animals that live in and around burrows deep within the prairie soil. They are a burrowing rodent?? related to ground squirrels, and live from three to five years. A majority of their diet is made up of grasses and roots. Prairie dogs get their name from the barking sounds they use to communicate with one another.

?Prairie dogs play a very important role in sustaining other prairie life. Their burrows create a unique ecological niche which supports a variety of plant and animal life. They are also an important food source for many species. The black-tailed prairie dog was once the most numerous mammal in North America. However, loss of habitat, plague, and mass extermination by humans has dramatically?? reduced their population.

The prairie dog is well adapted to predators.?Using their excellent vision and hearing, they can detect predators from a great distance and then alert other prairie dogs with different calls. Each call contains specific information as to what the predator is, how big it is, and how fast it is approaching. These calls have been described as a sophisticated form of language.

Just like humans, black-tailed prairie dogs live in communities. These communities, called colonies or towns, are found in shortgrass and mixed grass prairies where there is plenty of food to eat, and lots of space to make their homes. The colonies have underground tunnels that lead to chambers that serve various purposes. Prairie dogs have a room for sleeping, a nursery, and even a bathroom!?The entrances to the tunnels are usually 6 to 15 ft. deep and 15 to 30 ft. long.?

House Mice

Mus musculus

The house mouse has been domesticated as the pet or fancy mouse, and as the laboratory mouse which is one of the most important model organisms in biology and medicine. Mice are good jumpers, climbers, and swimmers. They are mostly active during dusk or night. They live in a wide variety of hidden places that are near food sources and construct nests from various soft materials. House mice primarily feed on plant matter but are?omnivorous. House mice usually live in proximity to humans, in or around houses or fields. Originally native to Asia, they have since spread to almost all parts of the globe by humans. House mice can transmit diseases, and can damage food and food packaging. It is thought that house mice were the primary reason for the taming of the domestic cat.