This diminutive mouse is one of the world's smallest rodents. Its key identifying characteristics are a blunt nose, small ears and yellow-brown fur. Anyone who thinks that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light should watch one of these in action. It may be small but it's also fast. The prehensile tale is used as a fifth limb, assisting this little guy as he speedily and confidently moves from one thin stalk to another.

Hyperactivity is part of being a harvest mouse, and its appetite is surprisingly large for something so small. Seeds, grains, grass shoots and soft fruit, as well as insects such as weevils, are all part of the harvest mouse's diet. Its food requirements mean that these mice are active both by day and by night. Which exposes them to predators all day long. Consequently their normal lifespan is quite short, probably no more than few months.