The Western Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis) is a small sigmodontine rodent associated with the grasslands of western North America. In Canada, it is restricted to British Columbia and southern Alberta. These two populations represent distinct subspecies: R. m. megalotis (British Columbia) and R. m. dychei (Alberta). In British Columbia, R. megalotis inhabits the lower elevation grasslands in the Okanagan and southern Similkameen valleys. It is a naturally rare species in grassland rodent communities, typically representing less than 10% of small mammal captures. Estimates of absolute density range from 1 to 7 animals per hectare. Ideal habitat consists of dry gulleys with dense shrub cover that border grassland and shrub-steppe rangeland. Limiting factors are habitat disturbances from grazing, mowing, fire, and cultivation; and especially habitat loss and fragmentation from urban development, particularly in the central and northern Okanagan. There is no evidence indicating population declines. Howe
Nagorsen, D.W.. 1995. Status of the Western Harvest Mouse in British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Species Status Report. WR71
Topic: Species Status
Keywords: western harvest mouse, reithrodontomys megalotis, species, study, report
Scientific Name: Reithrodontomys megalotis
English Name: Western Harvest Mouse
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