Mouse ID, Germany 2019 (1 Viewer)

These pictures were taken earlier this month in the vicinity of Kiel in northern Germany.

The mouse in question was a runty little fellow (apparently its right front paw was crippled) exhibiting rather little fear of humans, and was moving about in broad daylight. That explains the close-up pictures, but it's also the main reason why I didn't pick up the critter to check its neck markings for myself, given that it could've been carrying all sorts of diseases.

The place of observation was a hedge between two fields (maize and wheat, respectively) on somewhat uneven ground, approximately 100m from a patch of forest. There were Bank Voles living nearby, one of which I also managed to get pictures of.

My guess is Apodemus sp. Is it possible to determine which one? I have a couple more shots, but none from underneath.

I agree Apodemus sp. The greyish appearance and general roundedness suggest strongly to me that this is a juvenile (adult heads are more pointy), and I don't think it can be safely identified. I'd say its tail has been forcibly abbreviated as well.

John

Farnboro John said:

I agree Apodemus sp. The greyish appearance and general roundedness suggest strongly to me that this is a juvenile (adult heads are more pointy), and I don't think it can be safely identified. I'd say its tail has been forcibly abbreviated as well.

John

Click to expand...

At this age it is very difficult to separate the Apodemus species even in the hand.

Mark

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Thank you both, seems like the quest for a safe Wood Mouse/YNM ID continues. Well, at least I now have some decent shots of a number of species, and not all of them are as tough to identify as the above.