REITHRODONTOMYS MEGALOTIS
Western harvest mouse
  Classification Order Rodentia, Family Muridae.

Description The colour of the coat varies somewhat, ranging from pale grey to brown. In appearance, the harvest mouse somewhat resembles the house mouse (Mus musculus, 194). It has 16 teeth and the female has 6 nipples. Length of head and body about 7 cm (2.8 in), tail 5-8 cm (2-3.2 in)-, weight 9-18 g (0.3-0-6 oz)
  Distribution Western United States and Mexico

Habitat Prairies and deserts.

Behaviour It feeds on seeds, grass, and occasionally insects, and is most active at night. It does not hibernate. If builds dis-tinctive spherical nests of grass, on the ground in thickets of tall vegetation, in fallen logs, and in abandoned woodpeckers' nests. There is no specific period when mating occurs. Gesta-tion lasts for about 24 days, then the female gives birth to 2-4 young which are blind and hairless. At 5 weeks the young are fully developed, and the young females are capable of repro-ducing at 3-4 months of age.