Deer Mouse | The Cove Forest

(peromyscus maniculatus)

This rodent is the most important prey item for the avian and mammalian predators that frequent the cove forest. This specis is the most widespread of North American rodents. This nocturnal species sucrries around and nests in trees and under rocks. Food includes seed, fruit, nuts and underground fungus. In cold weather the deer mouse can enter a type of deep sleep called daily torpor with body temperatures dropping to 50 F from 98 F up to 12 hours.