Rock Pocket Mouse
Chaetodipus intermedius
Summary 2
The rock pocket mouse,Chaetodipus intermedius, exhibits weak rump spines (see Photo 1 and Photo 2) and has coarse fur. The species grows to be approximately 18 cm long, with the tail equaling 10 cm of the total length. The species has adapted color variation, in order to better survive in changing habitats. The two variations are dark brown-black and light brown (ancestral variation). Dark-colored rock pocket mice are found in habitats where there is an abundant amount of black lava rock. Light-colored mice are found in habitats with light colored rocks and sandy soils. Both color variations exhibit a white underside (see Photo 1 and Photo 2).
The species is strictly nocturnal, therefore they most likely will not be seen in daylight. The species prefers rocky areas with large boulders and are rarely found in silt soil areas. They feed mostly on weed seeds.
Tracks consist of 5 front toes and 4 back toes. The front vestigial thumb is not usually seen in tracks (see Photo 3). Front tracks tend to be smaller than back tracks. Back tracks tend to be closer together than front tracks, as exhibited in Photo 3.
Scat ranges in color from dark green to black. It is pellet-shaped, skinny, and about the length of a grain of rice (approximately 0.5 cm). The species deposits scat in burrows, so scat is not likely to be easily observed (photo provided depicts the scat of a house mouse, a photo of rock pocket mouse was not provided due to unavailability, but the scat of the two species looks very similar).
The rock pocket mouse is found in the southeast corner of Kane County and the southwest corner of San Juan County. The rock pocket mouse is not found in Iron County, Utah
Other General Information 2
The rock pocket mouse, Chaetodipus. intermedius, is one of 19 species of pocket mice in the genus Chaetodipus. (It is sometimes grouped in the genus Perognathus.)
Sources and Credits
- (c) samanthacutler, all rights reserved
- (c) samanthacutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
