This selection of Irish animals, native or introduced, is taken from the Appletree Press title Animals of Ireland. There will be a number of extracts from the book in coming months. The book contains highly detailed full colour illustrations to complement the detailed explanatory text.

Wood Mouse
Apodemus sylvaticus
Luch fhéir

Known also as the Field mouse and the Long-tailed field mouse, this 'wild' mouse has been in Ireland much longer than its 'domestic' relative, the House mouse. Wood mice will be found wherever suitable habitat can be found – hedgerows, scrubland, woodland and overgrown gardens. They will occasionally come into houses in the autumn but much less so than the House mouse.

A nest made of dried grass is constructed in a dry place, often in a hole in the ground. Breeding occurs throughout the summer and several litters are reared, with up to half a dozen young per litter. The food consists of a range of nuts, seeds, fruits and other vegetable matter and small invertebrates are taken as a supplement.

The Wood mouse is easily distinguished from the House mouse by its warm brown, not greyish, coat. The underparts are white and there is a tan-coloured 'birthmark' on the chest. It is slightly larger and has a finer, more flexible tail than the latter. The dark eyes and flesh-coloured ears are prominent. All in all it is a more attractive little animal than the House mouse. Its overall length is about 17.5 cm (7 inches) of which the tail is about half.

Other Small Mammals from Animals of Ireland include:
Bank Vole |
Brown Rat |
Grey Squirrel |
Hedgehog |
House Mouse |
Pigmy Shrew |
Red Squirrel |