Upper Santa Ana River

LOS ANGELES POCKET MOUSE

Perognathus longimembris brevinasus

Natural History

Los Angeles pocket mouse is restricted to Southern California and was historically known from San Fernando east through San Bernardino and Riverside, and south through Temecula and Aguanga. It is mostly located in the northern portions of the Upper Santa Ana River planning area. It is scarce due to habitat loss and degradation.

Habitat consists of alluvial deposits of sandy soil in sparsely vegetated areas. Los Angeles pocket mouse feed primarily on seeds, but also is known to eat insects. It has distinctive fur-lined cheek pouches to gather food and stores seeds in underground caches. Breeding activity is between April and June.

LOS ANGELES POCKET MOUSE
Life Stage/Activity PeriodJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Hibernation
Peak Surface Activity
Breeding
Threats and Management Actions

The primary threat to Los Angeles pocket mouse is habitat loss and degradation, and flood control projects that alter the natural cycle of opening the vegetation layer preferred by the mouse. Management includes habitat protection and enhancement, as well as prescribed fire and other tools to remove plant thatch from the landscape.

How you can help: Avoid rodenticides at your home, and try using live-traps or other means to remove unwanted rats and mice.

This website is being developed by ICF in coordination with the Upper Santa Ana River Sustainable Resource Alliance and Stillwater Sciences.