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Perognathinae is a subfamily of rodents consisting of two genera of pocket mice. Most species live in complex burrows within the deserts and grasslands of western North America , They feed mostly on seeds and other plant parts, which they carry in their fur-lined cheek pouches [ 2 ] to their burrows.
Heteromyidae is a family of rodents consisting of kangaroo rats, kangaroo mice, pocket mice and spiny pocket mice.Most heteromyids live in complex burrows within the deserts and grasslands of western North America, though species within the genus Heteromys are also found in forests and their range extends as far south as northern South America.
It is aggressively solitary, with a home range of less than 1 acre. Pocket mice can burrow into hard-crusted soils by actually physically chewing their way through the hard portions of the soil. Their burrows, however, are usually excavated in silty, sandy, or gravelly soil and are used for refuges, seed storage, and neonatal care.
Eastern deer mice are nocturnal creatures who spend the day time in areas such as trees or burrows where they have nests made of plant material. [7] The pups within litters of deer mice are kept by the mother within an individual home range. Deer mice typically live in a home range of 242 to 3000 square meters.
These mice have a system of multiple burrows, each one serving a different function. The nest burrow is the primary area of activity during the day. To keep moisture in during the day, they close up the opening. A retreat burrow serves as a quick escape from predators. Its design is about 10 inches into the ground at a 45° angle.
Great Basin pocket mice are nocturnal and use burrows for daytime cover. They also use burrows during periods of winter and summer torpor. [8] [15] [21] [22] The winter burrow consists of a 3- to 6-foot- (0.9–1.8 m-) deep tunnel leading to a chamber lined with dry vegetation. The summer burrow is shallow.
Primarily nocturnal [3] animals, mice compensate for their poor eyesight with a keen sense of hearing. They depend on their sense of smell to locate food and avoid predators. [4] In the wild, mice are known to build intricate burrows. These burrows have long entrances and are equipped with escape tunnels.
The woodland jumping mouse will live in either nests or burrows. The nests are usually found in hollow logs, under roots of trees or under rocks. The burrows can be found almost anywhere, although they are usually by a plant that can cover the entrance. Their nests are made from soft grasses, reeds and leaves.