Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of
Conservation
Common Name: MOUSE, GOLDEN
Phylum: CHORDATA
Class: MAMMALIA
Order: RODENTIA
Family: CRICETIDAE
Genus: OCHROTOMYS
Species: NUTTALLI
Taxonomic Authority: PACKARD
Taxonomy References: 023 , 001 , 002
NONGAME
STATE RANK S3
GLOBAL RANK G5
Status References: 006 , 013 , 017
"Inhabit deciduous forests with dense understory and tangles of vines, many fallen logs. Good litter cover and many herbaceous stems."
Primary Habitat: "Forest - bottomland"
References: 021 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005
"Occurs in the Ozarks and in southeast Missouri *03*."
| Known | Likely | Unknown | Not Likely | Historic | Extirpated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLLINGER | BARRY | COOPER | ADAIR | ||
| BOONE | BENTON | JASPER | ANDREW | ||
| BUTLER | CALLAWAY | LINCOLN | ATCHISON | ||
| CAMDEN | CEDAR | MONTGOMERY | AUDRAIN | ||
| CAPE GIRARDEAU | CHRISTIAN | PETTIS | BARTON | ||
| CARTER | COLE | ST. CHARLES | BATES | ||
| DENT | CRAWFORD | WARREN | BUCHANAN | ||
| FRANKLIN | DADE | CALDWELL | |||
| GASCONADE | DALLAS | CARROLL | |||
| HOWELL | DOUGLAS | CASS | |||
| IRON | DUNKLIN | CHARITON | |||
| NEWTON | GREENE | CLARK | |||
| PULASKI | HICKORY | CLAY | |||
| REYNOLDS | JEFFERSON | CLINTON | |||
| RIPLEY | LACLEDE | DAVIESS | |||
| SHANNON | LAWRENCE | DEKALB | |||
| ST. CLAIR | MARIES | GENTRY | |||
| ST. FRANCOIS | MCDONALD | GRUNDY | |||
| ST. LOUIS | MILLER | HARRISON | |||
| STODDARD | MISSISSIPPI | HENRY | |||
| TEXAS | MONITEAU | HOLT | |||
| WAYNE | MORGAN | HOWARD | |||
| NEW MADRID | JACKSON | ||||
| OREGON | JOHNSON | ||||
| OSAGE | KNOX | ||||
| OZARK | LAFAYETTE | ||||
| PEMISCOT | LEWIS | ||||
| PERRY | LINN | ||||
| PHELPS | LIVINGSTON | ||||
| POLK | MACON | ||||
| SCOTT | MADISON | ||||
| STE. GENEVIEVE | MARION | ||||
| TANEY | MERCER | ||||
| WASHINGTON | MONROE | ||||
| WEBSTER | NODAWAY | ||||
| WRIGHT | PIKE | ||||
| PLATTE | |||||
| PUTNAM | |||||
| RALLS | |||||
| RANDOLPH | |||||
| RAY | |||||
| SALINE | |||||
| SCHUYLER | |||||
| SCOTLAND | |||||
| SHELBY | |||||
| STONE | |||||
| SULLIVAN | |||||
| VERNON | |||||
| WORTH |
References for distribution: 022 , 018 , 020 , 002 , 003 , 010 , 016
Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Big R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
South Grand R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Niangua R.
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. R.
Gasconade R. from Headwaters to Big Piney R.
Big Piney R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.
North Fork White R.
Black R.
Current R.
Fourche Creek
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork
Eleven Point R.
Lost Creek
Spring R.
Indian Creek
Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."
Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Ozark Highlands
Comments: ""
Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest
ALL
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains
Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.
"See Comments"
References for Aquatic Associations:
Mature Shortleaf Pine (open understory)
Shortleaf Pine Old Growth
Limestone Glade
Wooded Riparian and Bottomland Hardwood
Mature Shortleaf Pine (dense understory)
Shrub-Grass
Fruiting Tree-Shrub
Edge (Forest-Field)
Mature Oak-Hickory (9" + dbh, open understory)
Mature Oak-Hickory: (9" + dbh, dense understory)
Oak-Hickory Old Growth
References for Habitat Types: 007
Forest
Upland forest
Mesic Forest
Upland Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Upland Sandstone Forest
Mesic Sandstone Forest
Upland Sand Forest
Mesic Sand Forest
Upland Igneous Forest
Mesic Igneous Forest
Bottomland Forest
Mesic Bottomland Forest
Wet-Mesic Bottomland Forest
Flatwoods
Primary
Glade
Limestone Glade
Dolomite Glade
Chert Glade
Sandstone Glade
Igneous Glade
References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 007 , 011
"Omnivore"
Comments for larval food habits:
""
References for larval food habits:
Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""
References Juvenile Food Habits
Shrubs; Fruit/Seeds
Forbs; Fruit/Seeds
Dicotyledoneae (dicots); Fruit/Seeds
Fagaceae (beech, oak); Fruit/Seeds
Rosaceae (rose, cherry, plum, blackberry); Fruit/Seeds
Anacardiaceae (cashew, sumac, poison ivy); Fruit/Seeds
Vitaceae (grape, creeper); Fruit/Seeds
Gramineae (grass); Fruit/Seeds
Anacardiaceae (cashew, sumac, poison ivy); Not Specified
Rubiaceae (coffee, quinine); Not Specified
Liliaceae (lily, onion); Not Specified
Insects
Insects; Not Specified
Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""
References Adult Food Habits 021 , 002 , 003 , 005
References for egg niches requirements:
References for feeding larvae niche requirements:
References for resting Larvae niche requirements:
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable forest
Successional stage: subclimax forest
Successional stage: climax forest
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Shrubs
Vines
References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 002 , 003 , 004 , 005
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Shrubs
Vines
References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 002 , 003 , 004 , 005
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable forest
Successional stage: subclimax forest
Successional stage: climax forest
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)
Leaf litter/ground debris specified in comments(00460)
Dbh of nest trees specified in comments(00590)
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Shrubs
Vines
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)
References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 019 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 011 , 015 , 016
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable forest
Successional stage: subclimax forest
Successional stage: climax forest
Canopy closure (%) specified in comments(00530)
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Shrubs
Vines
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments
References for feeding adult niche requirements: 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 011
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable forest
Successional stage: subclimax forest
Successional stage: climax forest
Canopy closure (%) specified in comments(00530)
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Shrubs
Vines
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments
References for resting adult niche requirements: 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 014
Canopy closure (%) specified in comments(00530)
Dbh of nest trees specified in comments(00590)
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)
Edge: woodland/grassland edge
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments
Leaf litter/ground debris specified in comments(00460)
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Shrubs
Subcanopy closure specified in comments(00600)
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: climax forest
Successional stage: stable forest
Successional stage: subclimax forest
Vines
| Code | Comment |
|---|---|
| 007 | Breed April-October *03*. |
| 011 | Nest in fork of tree, in bush, in tangle of vines *02,03,05*. Sometimes nest in stump *03* or under a log *03,09*. |
| 014 | Nest height 0-15' *03,05*, 0-10 m., most 1.5-4.5 m. *02*. |
| 015 | Nest materials include plant fibers *14*. |
| 016 | Nest diameter 6-8" *03*. |
| 017 | Gestation 25-30 days *03*, 29-30 days *05*. |
| 018 | Litter size 1-4, tend to have larger litters in fall *03*. |
| 028 | Home range .26 acres *04*. Home range for females is 0.37ha; home range for males is 0.53ha, and some homeranges between males and females overlap *021*. |
| 019 | Several litters per year *02*. |
| 035 | Predators include opossum, short-tailed shrew, foxes, coyote, skunks, weasels, mink, badger, bobcat, house cat, hawks owls, snakes *03*. |
| 099 | Several mice may occupy a nest at the same time *03,05*. |
| 003 | Nest in greenbriar, honeysuckle, sumac, and Vitis species *021*. |
| 011 | Shelter nests are likely in fallen pine trees, and young-rearing nests are in small trees *021*. |
Home range size specified in comments(028)
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
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)
Foraging strategy: gleaning
Foraging strategy: grazing
Foraging sites: ground
Foraging sites: shrubs
Foraging sites: branches of tree
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Nest/den site: shrubs
Nest/den site: trees
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Nest height specified in comments(014)
Nest materials: grasses
Nest materials: twigs
Nest materials: vegetative down
Nest materials: leaves
Nest materials: bark
Nest materials: hair or feathers
Nest materials: moss
Nest materials specified in comments(015)
Nest dimensions specified in comments(016)
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
| Code | Comment |
|---|---|
| 007 | Breed April-October *03*. |
| 011 | Nest in fork of tree, in bush, in tangle of vines *02,03,05*. Sometimes nest in stump *03* or under a log *03,09*. |
| 014 | Nest height 0-15' *03,05*, 0-10 m., most 1.5-4.5 m. *02*. |
| 015 | Nest materials include plant fibers *14*. |
| 016 | Nest diameter 6-8" *03*. |
| 017 | Gestation 25-30 days *03*, 29-30 days *05*. |
| 018 | Litter size 1-4, tend to have larger litters in fall *03*. |
| 028 | Home range .26 acres *04*. Home range for females is 0.37ha; home range for males is 0.53ha, and some homeranges between males and females overlap *021*. |
| 019 | Several litters per year *02*. |
| 035 | Predators include opossum, short-tailed shrew, foxes, coyote, skunks, weasels, mink, badger, bobcat, house cat, hawks owls, snakes *03*. |
| 099 | Several mice may occupy a nest at the same time *03,05*. |
| 003 | Nest in greenbriar, honeysuckle, sumac, and Vitis species *021*. |
| 011 | Shelter nests are likely in fallen pine trees, and young-rearing nests are in small trees *021*. |
References for life history: 021 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 009
Shrub/brush - control grazing of domestic livestock
Agricultural - maintain riparian habitats
Agricultural - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Agricultural - maintain habitat diversity
Forest - maintain wilderness environment
Forest - maintain riparian habitats
Forest - control grazing of domestic livestock
Forest - prescribed/controlled burning
Forest - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Forest - maintain habitat diversity
Forest - uneven age timber management
Forest - maintain mast producing trees
Beneficial Management References: 019 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005
Shrub/brush - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock
Shrub/brush - control undesirable plant species (thistle, cedar, etc.)
Forest - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock
Forest - control undesirable plant species (thistles, cedar, etc.)
Forest - thin understory
Forest - remove understory
Adverse Management References: 019 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005
Comments on Management:
Beneficial to maintain dense brushy areas *02,03,04,05*
References for Management Comments: 002 , 003 , 004 , 005
| Reference Code | Citation |
|---|---|
| 001 | Hall, E.R. 1981. The Mammals Of North America, 2nd Ed. John Wiley And Sons, Inc. New York. 1181pp. |
| 002 | Linzey, Donald W. and Robert L. Packard. 1977. Ochrotomys Nuttalli. Mammalian Specis Series No. 75. 6 Pp. |
| 003 | 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. |
| 004 | Howell, Joseph C. 1954. Populations And Home Ranges Of Small Mammals On An Overgrown Field. J. Mammal. 35: 177-186. |
| 005 | Goodpaster, W.W. and D.F. Hoffmeister. 1954. Life History Of The Golden Mouse, Peromyscus Nuttalli, In Kentucky. J. Mammal. 35(1): 16-27. |
| 006 | The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115. |
| 007 | Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp. |
| 008 | Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24. |
| 009 | Easterla, D.A. 1968. Terrestrial Home Site Of Golden Mouse. Amer. Midl. Nat. 79: 246-247. |
| 010 | Unpb Elder, W.H. Collection Records. 112 Stephens Hall, Univ. Of Mo, Columbia, Mo 65211. 573-8 |
| 011 | Seagle, S.W. 1985. Patterns Of Small Mammal Microhabitat Utilization In Cedar Glade And Deciduous Forest Habitats. J. Mammal. 66(1):22-35. |
| 012 | Fredrickson, L.H. 1979. Floral And Faunal Changes In Lowland Hardwood Forests In Missouri Resulting From Channelization, Drainage And Impoundment. U.S. Fish And Wildl. Service. Fws/Obs-78/91. |
| 013 | The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp. |
| 014 | 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. |
| 015 | Ford, W.M., J. Laerm, D.C. Weinand and K.G. Barker. 1994. Abundance And Distribution Of Shrews And Other Small Mammals In The Chattahoochee National Forest Of Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. Southeast Assoc. Fish Wildl. Agencies 48:310-320. |
| 016 | Unpb Murray, D.K. 1991. Mammals Of The Ozark National Scenic Riverways. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Of Missouri-Columbia. 457 Pp. |
| 017 | Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2010. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 53 Pp. |
| 018 | Unpb Scheibe, J. 1998 Collector's Permit Report. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. 573-751-4115. |
| 019 | Wagner, C.M., G.A. Feldhammer and J.A. Newman. 2000. Microhabitat Selection By Golden Mice (Ochrotomys Nuttali) At Arboreal Nest Sites. Amer. Midl. Nat. 144:220-225. |
| 020 | Unpb Big Oak Tree State Park. Mammal Checklist. 13640 South Hwy. 102, East Prairie, MO 63845, 573-649-3149. |
| 021 | Morzillo, A.T., G.A. Feldhamer, and M.C. Nicholson. 2003. Home range and nest use of the golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli) in southern Illinois. J. Mammal. 84(2): 553-560. |
| 022 | UNPB Shelby Timm. MDC Mammal Database. Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Ellington Office. 2929 County Rd 618, Ellington, MO 63638/ |
| 023 | The Mammal Diversity Database of the American Society of Mammalogists. 02/22/2023. https://www.mammaldiversity.org/index.html |