Natural selection
The deer mouse
These were normally dark colored and found living in the woods. The ones found in the sand hills are lighter
Classification
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Description: The two species of Peromyscus inhabiting the Adirondacks are similar in appearance, and are not always distinguishable from external characters.
Deer mouse- evolution
The evolution/structure of a deer mouse
Why the habitat of the deer mouse and how it affects the evolution of the light colored deer mouse.
Over the past few thousand years, Florida's deer mice evolved lighter fur and different camouflaging to survive on beaches, a new study suggests.
The lighter tan color is controlled by one protein, called agouti. The same protein could be the culprit for a leopard's spots and the coat patterns of other big cats.
About deer mice
Scientific Name:
Peromyscus ManiculatusColor:
Reddish-brown to golden brown, white feet & chest, bi-colored tail
Weight:
Length:
Tail Length:
Body:
Ears:
Eyes:
Large, protruding black eyes
Lifespan:
Droppings:
¼ inch long; pointed ends; dark color
what do most deer mice eat
Food and Feeding Behavior: The omnivorous deer mouse uses its sharp incisors to gnaw through the hard coats and seeds and the chitinous exoskeleton of beetles. Small invertebrates such as insects, earthworms, and snails form an important part of the summer diet.