Mountain-Prairie Region Endangered Species Program
PREBLE'S MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE

FACT SHEET

The Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), a relatively small rodent with an extremely long tail, large hind feet and long hind legs, inhabits the foothills in southeastern Wyoming, southward along the eastern edge of the front range of Colorado to Colorado Springs. It has a distinct dark, broad stripe on its back that runs from head to tail and is bordered on either side by gray to orange-brown fur. The hair on the back of all jumping mice appears coarse compared to other mice. The underside is white and much finer in texture. Total length of an adult Preble’s mouse is approximately 8-10 inches with over 60 percent of its length in its tail.

Once the glaciers receded from the front range of Colorado and the foothills of Wyoming and the climate became drier, the Preble’s was confined to the riparian systems where moisture was more plentiful. The eastern boundary for the Preble’s is likely defined by the dry shortgrass prairie, which may present a barrier to eastward expansion. Preble’s is one of twelve subspecies of meadow jumping mice found throughout North America.

Typical habitat for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse is comprised of well-developed plains riparian vegetation with adjacent, relatively undisturbed grassland communities and a nearby water source. These riparian areas include a relatively dense combination of grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Preble’s are known to regularly range outward into adjacent uplands to feed and hibernate.

Found in Colorado in 1899 by Edward A. Preble. Listed in 1998 as a threatened species, the Preble’s is long-lived for a small mammal, compared to other species of mice and voles that seldom live a full year. Preble’s mice captured as adults were still alive two years later. However, it has a long list of predators that includes garter snakes, rattlesnakes, bullfrogs, foxes, house cats, long-tailed weasels, hawks, owls, and others. The Preble’s meadow jumping mouse is primarily nocturnal, but may be active some during the day. It is believed to have two litters each year with an average litter size of five young.

The Preble’s mouse enters hibernation in September or October and doesn’t emerge until May. It puts on extra fat prior to hibernation and does not store food underground for the winter. The diet of the Preble’s changes seasonally and consists of insects, seeds, fungus, fruit and more.