Where does the wood mouse live?
The wood mouse lives in Europe and north-western Africa. It is found across most of Europe, north to Scandinavia and east to Ukraine, as well as on many Mediterranean islands. It inhabits forests, grasslands and cultivated fields, tending to seek out more wooded areas in winter. It is almost entirely nocturnal. It is a very common and widespread species.
What does the wood mouse eat?
Wood mice are primarily seed eaters, particularly seeds of trees such as oak, beech, ash, lime, hawthorn and sycamore. They may also eat small invertebrates such as snails and insects, particularly in late spring and early summer. It lives alongside people and is sometimes considered a pest.
Is the wood mouse endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern, because it is very common. It is a known potential carrier of the Dobrava sequence of hantavirus, which affects humans and may pose serious risks to human health. It is around 90 mm long and weighs about 23 g.
