POCKET MOUSE

any of about 30 species of small North American rodents constituting the genus Perognathus of the family Heteromyidae (order Rodentia), and characterized by fur-lined, external cheek pouches that open alongside the mouth. Pocket mice are pale yellowish brown to dark gray in colour, and they measure 6 to 13 cm (about 2.5 to 5 inches) long, excluding a tail of about the same length. They are nocturnal and usually solitary and are found in dry and desert regions. They carry food (mainly seeds) in their cheek pouches and store it in their burrows. They breed in spring and summer, the female bearing one or more litters of about four young. Spiny pocket mice (Liomys and Heteromys), also of the family Heteromyidae, are harsh-furred, gray, brown, or black rodents found from Mexico through Central America. They are nocturnal burrowers and are inhabitants of wet, forested regions as well as of dry or desert country.