Size	2-4" long
Weight	1 oz
Conservation Status
Diet	The golden mouse is granivorous consuming mainly seeds in the wild. At the Zoo the mice are offered a mixed seed diet as well as a commercial biscuit specific for rodents. A small amount of fruit and vegetables are offered for dietary variety. In the wild sumac seeds are favored by the golden mouse, the Zoo harvests sumac seeds opportunistically from our tree farm in Fairmount Park.
Geographic Range	Southern United States from Eastern Texas through Kentucky.
Where to find me in the Zoo	Small Mammal House

Golden mice are well named as their thick, soft fur is a bright golden color. Their underside and feet are white and their tail is a cream color. They are small mice only a few inches long and weighing less than an ounce.

Longevity

Up to 6 years in captivity

Behavior

Golden mice are adapted to wooded ares and favor locations with honeysuckle and greenbriars. Their habitat is hot and wet in summer and dry in the winter. They build nests out of grasses lined with soft fluffy material, or remodel old bird nests. These nests are well hidden and may be on the ground or up in the branches. These are social mice and several may share the same nest, which helps them conserve energy, especially in the winter. They are nocturnal and arboreal and use their prehensile tails to help them move through the branches.

Reproduction

Like most mice, golden mice are proficient breeders. They can have 2-3 young every 30 days - that's 12 litters per year!