Family SMINTHIDAE

(BIRCH MICE)

• Small rodents with soft, brown dorsal fur, often with one or more narrow, dark brown stripes from crown to rump; large eyes; short, curved Class; and long, semiprehensile tails.

• 11 -19 cm.

• Palearctic Region.

• Grasslands, steppes, semi-deserts, shrublands, subalpine meadows, and boreal forests.

• 1 genus, 14 species, 25 taxa.

• 2 species Endangered, 1 species Vulnerable; none Extinct since 1600.