The field mouse, a small rodent found in grasslands, woodlands, and hedgerows, is highly adaptable due to its diverse and flexible diet. These mammals, including species like the wood mouse and meadow vole, thrive across a wide range of environments. Their survival hinges on an opportunistic approach to eating, allowing them to adjust their caloric intake with the changing availability of sustenance throughout the year.
Primary Food Sources
Seeds and grains form the caloric backbone of the field mouse’s diet, providing the necessary energy for their active lifestyle. They consume the reproductive parts of plants from both cultivated fields and wild vegetation. Staple grains such as wheat, barley, and oats are sought after in agricultural areas, while wild grasses like ryegrass and foxtail contribute a steady supply of seeds in natural habitats. Field mice also target seeds from common weeds, including thistle and dock, which are abundant in their environment.
Seasonal and Supplemental Foods
While seeds are a constant, field mice are opportunistic omnivores whose diet varies significantly with the seasons and their immediate nutritional needs. They consume a variety of invertebrates, which provide a valuable source of protein, especially for breeding females. Their animal matter intake includes small insects, larvae, earthworms, and snails. During warmer months, field mice supplement their diet with tender leaves, stems, and herbaceous plants like clover and alfalfa, and seasonally available fruits and berries, such as blackberries and fallen apples. In the colder seasons, when surface vegetation is scarce, they will forage underground for roots and tubers to sustain themselves.
Foraging and Caching Behavior
Field mice are primarily nocturnal, conducting their foraging activities during the evening and early morning hours to minimize the risk of predation. Their movement is often guided by a strong sense of smell, allowing them to locate food sources and navigate their territory even in the dark. A distinct behavior is caching, where field mice store surplus food for later use, especially in preparation for the winter. They typically hoard non-perishable items, such as nuts like acorns and beechnuts, along with grains and seeds. These caches are stored in underground burrows or shallow, hidden sites near their nests.