http://www.ck12.org Chapter 11. Understanding Biodiversity: Animals: Mammals
11.8 Peromyscus californicus: California Mouse http://www.ck12.org Contents
Mouse
Common Name
- California Mouse
Description
The California mouse’s fur is usually yellow and brown or gray mixed with black above, whitish below, often with
black spots on the breast. It has a length of two hundred to two hundred eighty-five millimeters. Peromyscus
californicusis the largest species in its genus. California mice generally live for 9 to 18 months. Populations tend to
be fairly stable and at low densities, as compared to other Peromyscus species.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Cricetidae
- Genus:Peromyscus
- Species:P. californicus
Habitat
The California mouse can be found from southwest Canada and throughout the whole West Coast of the United
States. They can be found in any bushy or wooded area. They can also be found in the redwood forests in Santa
Cruz. They also live in homes as pets or as pests.
Biology
Cell Biology
The California mouse has eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and many organelles. New cells come
from other cells that divide. When cells divide for healing of the body or growth, it’s called mitosis, and when the
cells divide to make gametes for reproductive purposes, it’s called meiosis.
This species has red blood cells, which are the main source of delivering oxygen to the tissue. Red blood cells are
the most common type of blood cell. The skin cells of the California mouse are similar to the skin cells of a human.