Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: MOUSE, COTTON

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: MAMMALIA

Order: RODENTIA

Family: CRICETIDAE

Genus: PEROMYSCUS

Species: GOSSYPINUS

Taxonomic Authority: (RHOADS)

Taxonomy References: 022 , 002 , 003

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S2
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 006 , 014 , 016

Habitat Summary

"Inhabit bottomland forests and swamps with dense understory. Presence of stumps, cliffs, ledges or caves is beneficial."

Primary Habitat: "Forest - bottomland"

References: 001 , 002

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs in the Mississippi lowlands *01*, except for one record in Benton county *12*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BENTON BUTLER ADAIR
BOLLINGER CAPE GIRARDEAU ANDREW
DUNKLIN PERRY ATCHISON
MISSISSIPPI RIPLEY AUDRAIN
NEW MADRID BARRY
OREGON BARTON
PEMISCOT BATES
SCOTT BOONE
STODDARD BUCHANAN
CALDWELL
CALLAWAY
CAMDEN
CARROLL
CARTER
CASS
CEDAR
CHARITON
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OSAGE
OZARK
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WAYNE
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 020 , 001 , 002 , 003 , 012 , 013 , 019 , 021

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss R. from Ohio R. to Arkansas Border
St. John's Ditch and Blue Ditch
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
South Grand R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Lamine R.
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork
Eleven Point R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Mississippi River Alluvial Plains

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Palustrine

Aquatic Associations:

"Palustrine", "Forested, broad-leaved deciduous"
"Palustrine", "Forested, needle-leaved deciduous"
"Palustrine", "Scrub/shrub, broad-leaved deciduous"
"Palustrine", "Scrub/shrub, needle-leaved deciduous"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 002 , 004 , 005 , 007

Habitat Types:

Limestone Bluff and Cave
Wooded Riparian and Bottomland Hardwood
Swamp

References for Habitat Types: 020 , 008

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Forest
Bottomland Forest
Mesic Bottomland Forest
Wet-Mesic Bottomland Forest
Primary
Cliff
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Cliff
Moist Limestone/Dolomite Cliff
Dry Sandstone Cliff
Moist Sandstone Cliff
Dry Chert Cliff
Moist Chert Cliff
Dry Igneous Cliff
Moist Igneous Cliff
Wetland
Swamps
Swamp
Pond Swamp
Caves
Effluent Cave
Influent Cave
Wet Pit Cave
Dry Cave

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 001 , 002 , 004 , 005 , 010

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Omnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Plants; Not Specified
Arthropods; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 001 , 002 , 010

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Water level: temporarily flooded
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: swamp
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Natural features: bottomland
Natural features: caves, dry
Natural features: caves, wet
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 002 , 004 , 005 , 010

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Stumps

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 002 , 004 , 005 , 010

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water level: temporarily flooded
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: swamp
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Natural features: bottomland
Natural features: caves, dry
Natural features: caves, wet
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Downed logs
Human association: barns/sheds
Stumps

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 002 , 004 , 005 , 010

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water level: temporarily flooded
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: swamp
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Natural features: bottomland
Natural features: caves, dry
Natural features: caves, wet
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 002 , 004 , 005 , 010 , 018

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Water level: temporarily flooded
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: swamp
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Natural features: bottomland
Natural features: caves, dry
Natural features: caves, wet
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 002 , 004 , 005 , 010 , 015 , 018

Niche Requirement Summary

Downed logs
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)
Floodplain specified in comments(00220)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Human association: barns/sheds
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Leaf litter/ground debris
Natural features: bottomland
Natural features: caves, dry
Natural features: caves, wet
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Stumps
Stumps specified in comments(00720)
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Water level: temporarily flooded

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
018 Litter size 1-7, average 3-4 *01,02*
007 Breeds year-round in FL, AL, uknown in MO *01,02*
011 Nests under brushpiles *01,02*
014 Prefer nests at least 810 mm high *11*
015 Nest materials include plant fibers and lichens *15*
017 Gestation usually 23 days, may be longer in nursing females *01*
019 3 or 4 litters per year *01*
022 Mature at 45 days for males, 73 days for females *02*
028 Home range .5-2 acres *01*
029 Most common in areas subject to annual flooding *10*
035 Predators include opossum, short-tailed shrew, foxes, coyote, weasels, skunks, mink, badger, bobcat, house cats, hawks, owls, snakes *01*.
099 In IL, dna testing determined that hybridization with white-footed mice (peromyscus leucopus) may occur because of small population size and limited mate choice *18*.

Life History Information

Home range size specified in comments(028)
Dispersion specified in comments(029)
Periodicity: active at night
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: gleaning
Foraging strategy: grazing
Foraging sites: ground
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Nest/den site: shrubs
Nest/den site: stumps
Nest/den site: trees
Nest/den site: log
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Nest/den site: man-made structure
Nest height specified in comments(014)
Nest materials: vegetative down
Nest materials specified in comments(015)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litters per year specified in comments(019)
Development of young at birth/hatching: altricial
Parental care of young: female
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
018 Litter size 1-7, average 3-4 *01,02*
007 Breeds year-round in FL, AL, uknown in MO *01,02*
011 Nests under brushpiles *01,02*
014 Prefer nests at least 810 mm high *11*
015 Nest materials include plant fibers and lichens *15*
017 Gestation usually 23 days, may be longer in nursing females *01*
019 3 or 4 litters per year *01*
022 Mature at 45 days for males, 73 days for females *02*
028 Home range .5-2 acres *01*
029 Most common in areas subject to annual flooding *10*
035 Predators include opossum, short-tailed shrew, foxes, coyote, weasels, skunks, mink, badger, bobcat, house cats, hawks, owls, snakes *01*.
099 In IL, dna testing determined that hybridization with white-footed mice (peromyscus leucopus) may occur because of small population size and limited mate choice *18*.

References for life history: 001 , 002 , 010 , 011 , 015 , 018

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - develop/maintain wetlands
Water - develop/maintain streamside vegetation
Agricultural - maintain riparian habitats
Forest - develop and maintain food plots
Forest - maintain riparian habitats
Forest - maintain streambanks
Forest - maintain streamside vegetation
Forest - reforestation
Forest - retain litter, stumps and downed logs at timber harvest sites

Beneficial Management References: 001 , 002 , 004 , 005 , 018

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - dredging and filling
Water - drainage of wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes

Adverse Management References: 001 , 002 , 004 , 005

Comments on Management:
In SC study, were more abundant in a pine forest with abundant coarse woody debris (snags, downed boles, downed branches greater than 10 cm in diamter) than in a forest where debris had been removed *17*. Large logs and stumps appear to be important habitat factors *18*.

References for Management Comments: 015 , 018

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Schwartz, C.W. and E.R. Schwartz. 1981. The Wild Mammals Of Missouri 2nd Ed. Univ. Of Missouri Press And Mo Dept. Of Conservation, Columbia, Mo. 356 Pp.
002 Wolfe, J.L. and A.V. Linzey. 1977. Peromyscus Gossypinus. Mammalian Species 70: 1-5.
003 Hall, E.R. 1981. The Mammals Of North America, 2nd Ed. John Wiley And Sons, Inc. New York. 1181pp.
004 Mccarley, Howard. 1963. Distributional Relationships Of Sympatric Populations Of Peromyscus Leucopus And Peromyscus Gossypinus. Ecology 44: 784-788.
005 Layne, James N. 1970. Climbing Behavior Of Peromyscus Floridanus And Peromyscus Gossypinus. J. Mammal. 51(3): 580-591.
006 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
007 Cowardin, L.M., Virginia Carter, Francis C. Golet, Edward T. Laroe. 1979. Classification Of Wetlands And Deepwater Habitats Of The United States. Office Of Biol. Serv., U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service Washington, D.C. 103 Pp.
008 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
009 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
010 Calhoon, J.B. 1941. Distribution And Food Habits Of Mammals In The Vicinity Of Reelfoot Lake Biological Station, Iii. Discussion Of Mammals Recorded From The Area. Jour. Tennessee Acad. Sci. 16: 207- 225.
011 Taylor, R.J. and H. Mccarley. 1963. Vertical Distribution Of Peromyscus Leucopus And Peromyscus Gossypinus Under Experimental Conditions, Southwestern Nat. 8: 107-108.
012 Unpb Elder, W.H. Collection Records. 112 Stephens Hall, Univ. Of Mo, Columbia, Mo 65211. 573-8
013 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
014 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
015 Frank, P.A. and J.N. Layne. 1991. Nests And Daytime Refugia Of Cotton Mice (Peromyscus Gossypinus) And Golden Mice (Ochrotomys Nuttali) In South-Central Florida. Amer. Midl. Nat. 127:21-30.
016 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
017 Loeb, S.C. 1999. Responses Of Small Mammals To Coarse Woody Debris In A Southeastern Pine Forest. J. Mammal. 80(2):460-471.
018 Barko, V.A. and G.A. Geldhammer. 2002. Cotton Mice (Peromyscus Gossypinus) In Southern Illinois: Evidence For Hybridization With White-Footed Mice (Peromyscus Leucopus). Am. Midl. Nat. 147:109-115.
019 Unpb Big Oak Tree State Park. Mammal Checklist. 13640 South Hwy. 102, East Prairie, MO 63845, 573-649-3149.
020 Barko, V.A., B.L. Sloss, and G.A. Feldhamer. 2000. A non-lethal method for identification of the cotton mouse, Peromyscus gossypinus (LeConte, 1853). Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 93(4): 285-291.
021 UNPB Shelby Timm. MDC Mammal Database. Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Ellington Office. 2929 County Rd 618, Ellington, MO 63638/
022 The Mammal Diversity Database of the American Society of Mammalogists. 02/22/2023. https://www.mammaldiversity.org/index.html