Identification: The New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus) is the only species of jumping mouse that occurs in the Jemez and Sacramento mountains and Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico, and the White Mountains in Arizona. In those places, Z. h. luteus is most likely to be confused with Cricetid rodents such as various species of deer mice (Peromyscus spp.), western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis), house mouse (Mus musculus), and hispid pocket mouse (Chaetodipus hispidus). On the left is a link to a comprehensive technical key to the New Mexico rodents, which will aid in identifying Zapus in southern Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
The distribution of the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Z. h. luteus) overlaps that of the western jumping mouse (Zapus princeps) in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. A pictorial key is provide that presents the general characteristics of typical animals of both species in this area. However, there is considerable overlap in characters between the species. Verification of identification requires expert examination and analysis of properly prepared specimens. Consequently, any study of jumping mice southern Colorado or northern New Mexico should make prior arrangements for the proper collection and preparation of specimens, and to have the specimens identified by an expert.
