Eurasian Harvest Mouse

tiny rodent · climber · Europe and Asia

Smaller than your thumb. The Eurasian harvest mouse is the smallest rodent in all of Europe. An adult can weigh only 4 grams, which is about as heavy as a few grains of rice.

Lives in the crops. These little mice make their homes in fields of wheat, rice, and oats, where they can hide among the tall plants and find plenty to eat.

Prehensile tail superpower. Unlike most mice, the harvest mouse has a special naked tail that works almost like a monkey's tail, helping it grip and climb through plants and grass.

Woven grass nests. Instead of digging burrows, harvest mice build amazing spherical nests by carefully weaving grass together and attaching them to tall plant stems high above the ground.

Tiny omnivore eater. These mice nibble on seeds and insects, but they also enjoy sweet treats like nectar and fruit whenever they can find them.