New Zealand Mammals

DSC_8404 House mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) young female emerging from nest in garden shed. At this young age it's difficult to think of mice as predators, but mouse numbers increase in many areas in summer when pasture grasses seed, providing an abundance of food. Mice are significant predators of insects, especially beetles and caterpillars, as well as small reptiles, and the eggs and young of small birds. Otago Peninsula *

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DSC_8404 House mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) young female emerging from nest in garden shed. At this young age it's difficult to think of mice as predators, but mouse numbers increase in many areas in summer when pasture grasses seed, providing an abundance of food. Mice are significant predators of insects, especially beetles and caterpillars, as well as small reptiles, and the eggs and young of small birds. Otago Peninsula *

DSC 8404 House mouse New Zealand mammals head young female nest emerging rodent mus musculus domesticus feral introduced mammalian pest predator