Fulvous harvest mouse

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Fulvous harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys fulvescens) is a small rodent in the Cricetidae family. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. It lives from southern Mexico through Central America and into the United States (Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi) and in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. About 17 subspecies exist, varying in color and size.

Appearance and size:
- Total length about 134–189 mm; tail 73–116 mm
- Fur is yellowish-buff to tawny, fairly coarse and speckled from dark guard hairs with lighter underfur
- A dark stripe may run along the back
- Belly is grayish-white or buff
- distinguises from the hairy harvest mouse by the pale underside of the tail and lighter hind feet

Habitat:
- Grassy areas with some shrubs, especially in mesquite or pine/grass zones

Behavior:
- Nocturnal (active at night)
- Builds a ground-level nest in vegetation, a ball of grasses about 3 cm in diameter, usually shared by a pair with entrances blocked when inside
- Spends much time in low vegetation

Diet:
- Primarily insects and other invertebrates year-round in mild climates
- In colder areas, invertebrates dominate in spring and seeds in fall/winter
- Eats some leafy greens and plant matter

Predators:
- Barn owls and red-tailed hawks

Reproduction and life cycle:
- In Mexico, breeding can occur year-round; in Texas, two breeding peaks are common
- Litter size usually 2–4 (sometimes more)
- Young are blind and naked at birth; eyes open around days 9–12; weaning by days 13–16
- Life expectancy: up to about 15 months for males and 12 months for females

Winter adaptations:
- Fat reserves build during autumn and are used up by spring
- Fur lengthens and daytime body temperature may drop slightly during sleep, helping survival in cold periods; recovery happens quickly when warm