North American Jumping Mice (Genus Zapus)

This thorough survey brings the often‑overlooked jumping mice of North America into clear focus. Drawing on a collection of roughly 3,600 specimens—from skins and skulls to whole skeletons—the author maps their range from the Arctic Circle down to the southern edges of the continent. Detailed measurements of body length, tail, and hind foot reveal how these tiny rodents adapt to moist, grassy habitats, while precise cranial data expose subtle geographic patterns that have long evaded researchers.

The work also offers a practical key for identifying each species and subspecies, supported by dozens of illustrations and tables that make complex taxonomy approachable. Along the way, readers learn about the evolutionary origins of the Zapodinae subfamily and see how the genus Zapus relates to its close relatives. Whether you’re a naturalist curious about wildlife diversity or a student of mammalian biology, this narrative of discovery provides a vivid window into the hidden world of North America’s leaping rodents.