Page 15 - World of Animals - Issue #39

ABOVE The harvest mouse’s
012-018_Harvest Mouse.indd
diet consists of seeds, berries,
grasses and flowers – as well
as the occasional insect
Tiny climbers
Harvest mice are one of
nature’s most active climbers
Harvest mice have very small, broad feet,
making them perfect for climbing up and
down tall, dense vegetation. They learn the
basics of climbing within days of being born,
picking up hand grasping in the first week
and feet grasping by day nine.
The mice will be walking on all fours
between six and 11 days after birth and they
will have also figured how to use their tail for
climbing by this time. Once they’ve worked
out how to correct the orientation of their
body (by the twelfth day), they’ll act like little
monkeys as they nip around their habitat.
To aid them in climbing, each five-toed
foot has two large opposable outer toes. As
it moves, the rodent is able to use its hind
feet and tail for gripping, while the front feet
lend support. If it needs to collect food, it can
free those forefeet and still manage to get
around. It can also climb a vertical stem with
great ease.
The legs are flexible enough to allow for
pivoting and, since the mice have a light
skeleton, they can climb the most delicate of
objects. No wonder some believe them to be
nature’s cutest gymnasts.
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