Oldfield Mouse  Photo Credit: Clemson University  SCIENTIFIC
NAME: Permyscus polionotus  OTHER NAMES: Deer mouse, beach
mouse. DESCRIPTION:  Oldfield mice are rodents, members of the
family Cricetidae. They are the smallest members of the genus
Peromyscus in the United States. The underside of an oldfield
mouse’s body and tail is pure white, with upper parts varying
greatly in color with individuals from different
populations. Inland populations range from dark brown to
cinnamon in color while coastal populations tend to be very
light tan to almost white. This difference in coloration is
closely correlated with the color of soil and/or leaf litter in
the area in which they live, presumably allowing them to better
blend into their background. In all populations there is a
clearly defined line between darker upper parts of the body and
white underside of their body and tail. The paws of oldfield
mice are white. Oldfield mice range from 4.8-6.0 inches long and
weigh 0.35-0.60 ounces with males typically smaller