| any of several primitive, mouselike rodents of the family Zapodidae, having long hind legs, common in the woodlands of Europe, Asia, and North America. |
| jumping mouse n. Any of various small Eurasian and North American rodents of the family Zapodidae, having a very long tail and long hind legs. |
jumping mouse
any of five species of small leaping rodents found in North America and China. Jumping mice weigh from 13 to 26 grams (0.5 to 0.9 ounce) and are 8 to 11 cm (3.1 to 4.3 inches) long, not including the scantily haired tail, which is longer than the body. Their glossy fur is soft or slightly coarse; coloration is tripartite: brown on top from nose to rump, grayish to rust-coloured on the sides, and white on the underparts. The tail is brown above and white below.
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