Widespread and common, occurring in woodland, scrub, hedgerows, and other habitats that offer cover. Has been seen hopping over snow-covered moorland at 440m and reported feeding on crumbs at over 500m but generally less common in moorland habitats. Wood mice occur in suburban environments and frequently enter houses, where they may be mistaken for house mice. Numbers are apparently stable. Almost always caught when small mammal trapping and a frequent constituent of owl pellets. Willingly occupy dormouse nestboxes. Wood mouse nests consist of a rather loose jumble of leaves and grass, whereas dormouse nests are a neater-looking ball woven from honeysuckle bark or grass and usually have an outer layer of hazel or other leaves.

Species identification information

Distribution map