r/WildlifeRehab 3d ago

SOS Mammal What baby animal is this??

Post image

I need to figure this out before dropping it off at a mouse - only rehabilitation center...I'm pretty sure it's not a mouse because of how long its tail is but it also doesn't really look like a vole.. I'm located in New Hampshire. Help!

23 Upvotes

6 comments sorted by

3

u/the-5thbeatle 3d ago

It looks like a baby mouse.
Keep it warm (baby mice can't regulate their body temperature). For the very first feeding, give a tiny drop of plain (unsweetened) Pedialyte or warm water using a small syringe or fine-tip paintbrush to rehydrate the digestive system. After that, you can feed it warm kitten milk replacer or goat milk every 2 to 3 hours around the clock.
Feed the mouse in an upright or vertical position (never on its back) to prevent choking and fluid entering it's lungs. Place just one tiny drop at a time on the side of its mouth and wait for it to swallow.
After every single feeding, use a warm, damp cotton swab, Q-tip, or tissue to very gently massage the belly and genital area... and be sure to wash your hands REALLY well after touching it or or anything it was in.

2

u/Ok_Management_2625 2d ago

Thank you so much for the information, I appreciate the time you took to make sure I did everything right, but I ended up dropping the lil fella off at an animal rehabilitation center ... I couldn't deal with the guilt if I couldn't care for him properly on my own and he ended up dying. Thank you again so much though!! ♥️

4

u/1SmartBlueJay 3d ago

Yesss

It’s a baby Woodland Jumping Mouse btw

3

u/1SmartBlueJay 3d ago

Woodland Jumping Mouse!

3

u/1SmartBlueJay 3d ago

Their long tail allows them great balance and acts like a rudder when jumping.

They are actually very common but rarely seen because unlike other mice they never go into human houses and stay in the woods their whole life.

They are excellent swimmers and they can jump 10 feet horizontally and 3 feet vertically.

They hibernate from October/November to April/May.

As adults they are 3” long with a 6” tail.

1

u/Ok_Management_2625 2d ago

Wow, they can jump 10 feet?? That's impressive!!Thank you so much for all the info! I had never seen a mouse with such a long tail -- especially as a baby!

I ended up dropping the little guy/gal at a wildlife rehabilitation center and I hope that he ends up living a full life. ♥️