"Lifeguard Station" by U.S. National Park Service , public domain
![]() | Gulf IslandsBeach Mouse |
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covered parks
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Florida & Mississippi
Beach Mouse Fun Facts
Beach mice live in the sand dunes of Perdido Key and
Santa Rosa Island. Conserving their habitat protects
the dunes, the dunes in turn protect the houses,
condominiums, and hotels along the beach. The
dunes are good for the mouse and good for people.
Taxonomy
Beach mice are subspecies of the old-field mouse
(Peromyscus polionotus). There are seven sub-species
of beach mice and five of these subspecies are found
along the Gulf coast - Alabama, Perdido Key, Santa
Rosa, Choctawhatchee, and St. Andrews.
Santa Rosa Beach Mouse
Perdido Key Beach Mouse
Conservation Status
All beach mice are federally protected, with the
exception of the Santa Rosa beach mouse.
Habitat loss from coastal development and
hurricanes are the primary reasons these mice
have federal and state protective status.
Ecology
Habitat: Beach dunes and open scrub.
Predators: Feral and free roaming cats, which
do not belong in a natural setting. Beach mice
are particularly easy prey for domestic cats
because they have not developed the senses to
avoid this predator.
Home range size: Average 5000 square meters.
Perdido Key Beach Mouse
Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis
A unique beach mouse which is found only on
Perdido Key. The mice burrow and dig in the primary,
secondary, and scrub dunes of Perdido Key. They are
active at night (nocturnal) and eat the seeds of sea
oats and other coastal plants.
The mouse habitat on Perdido Key is undergoing
rapid development as prime ocean-front property.
Due to reduced habitat, the Perdido Key beach
mouse is in the highest risk category for extinction,
thus is protected as a state and federally endangered
species.
Santa Rosa Beach Mouse
Peromyscus polionotus leucocephalus
A unique beach mouse that can only be found on
Santa Rosa Island, Florida. This mouse burrows and
digs in the primary, secondary, and scrub dunes of
Santa Rosa Island. They are active at night (nocturnal)
and eat the seeds of sea oats and other coastal plants.
These beach mice are the least pigmented of the Gulf
Coast subspecies and are the only extant beach mouse
that is not endangered or threatened.
The Santa Rosa beach mouse has the lightest colored fur of all the
beach mice. It is pale gray along its back and there is no tail stripe.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, Florida
(850) 934-2600
www.nps.gov/guis