The Anastasia Island beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus phasma ) is a subspecies of the oldfield mouse of the southeastern United States. It occurs in the sand dunes of Florida and Alabama beaches. It has been classified by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as an endangered species due to the specificity of its habitat and the natural and human-induced destruction thereof.
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
Monogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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starts withThe Anastasia Island beach mouse has an average body length of 13.85–14.28 cm (5.45–5.62 in) including tail. The coat tends to be a pale tan color with a white underbelly. Subtle white markings can be found across the face and muzzle. Their coloration, being substantially lighter than inland members of their species, is thought to be an adaptation to help them blend into their sandy habitats and avoid predators. Males and non-reproducing females average a weight of 12.5 g (0.44 oz) and pregnant females have an average weight of 20 g (0.71 oz).
The mouse occurs in the sandy dunes of Anastasia Island in Florida. Though the species once ranged from St. Johns River in northern Florida to Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, Florida, habitat destruction limited and eventually eliminated populations in the northern part of the state. The mature, sparsely vegetated, scrubby dunes offer the best burrowing environment, as well as providing the mice with ample food sources. These dunes tend to occur between the high-tide line and the more densely vegetated dunes farther inland. Though sometimes found in the inland dunes, very little foraging takes place there. The mice use the heavy coastal grass cover there to provide protection and avoid detection from predators. Occasionally, beach mice make their homes in abandoned burrows of ghost crabs, but are also capable of creating their own.
The mice eat small insects and coastal plant such as beach grasses and sea oats. They gather seeds which have separated from the plant and blown to the ground. Every night, they leave their burrows to gather the sea oat seeds which have blown to the ground, then return them to their burrows for storage. Due to the highly variable climate of coastal habitats, though, several seasonal plants can offer additional food sources throughout the year, such as the beach pea (Galactia spp. ), coastal ground cherry (Physalis angustifolia ), dixie sandmat (Euphorbia bombensis ), tall jointweed (Polygonella gracilis ), seaside pennywort (Hydrocotyle bonariensis ), seacoast marshelder (Iva imbricata ), and evening primrose (Oenothera humifusa ).
The species is monogamous. Females reach reproductive maturity at 6 weeks and can produce a litter of pups in as little as 20–23 days. The breeding season lasts from November to early January, but can continue throughout the year if climate and food sources are optimal. The average litter of pups is 4, but can range in size from 2-7.
