Comparative Ecology of Pinyon Mice and Deer Mice in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Set against the dramatic sandstone mesas and cliff dwellings of southwestern Colorado, this study follows two of the park’s most common residents—the deer mouse and the pinyon mouse. Their silhouettes once appeared on ancient pottery, hinting at a long‑standing relationship between people and the tiny mammals that scurry among the pinyon‑juniper woodlands. The author uses the park’s relatively untouched environment to compare how each species fits into the landscape’s varied microhabitats.

Through meticulous field observations, trapping data, and vegetation surveys, the narrative reveals the mice’s home‑range patterns, nesting habits, diet, and the predators that keep them in check. It also explores how the two species influence each other’s distribution, offering a clear, science‑rich portrait of a living ecosystem that has changed little since the Pueblo peoples first settled the area. Listeners gain an intimate glimpse into the everyday drama of survival on the high plateau.