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| Distribution |
In NC, it ranges essentially statewide, and likely occurs in all counties, but it is scarce toward the coast.
Strictly the southeastern states, ranging north to VA, WV, and MO, and west to eastern TX. |
| Abundance |
Generally fairly common in the mountains and Piedmont, though with many counties still lacking records. Fairly common to perhaps locally common over much of the Coastal Plain, though quite rare to locally absent on barrier islands. As collection records seem to be slow to accumulate, and as there are only a few photographs of the species (or likely nests) on the iNaturalist website, this species might be declining across the state. The range map does not clearly suggest "common statewide" anymore. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Active year-round. |
| Habitat |
Strictly in forested areas, favoring somewhat moist hardwoods, often near edges of the forests. Favored habitats are bottomlands, especially with many vine and brier tangles, or large stands of cane. Also occurs in upland forests, particularly so in the mountains, where floodplain forests are rare. Occurs also in swamps, or in pine stands where there is an abundance of evergreen vine cover; places with much Japanese honeysuckle growing up into shrubs and small trees, or dense areas of greenbriers, make for good micro-habitat conditions.
See also Habitat Account for Forest-Field Ecotones and Groves |
| Behavior |
Essentially nocturnal. Makes round nests of leaves, typically 4-6 inches across, placed several to many feet above the ground, in dense vine cover; typically the nests are about 3-6 feet above ground. The species is an agile climber, and spends most of its time off the ground. |
| Comments |
This species is quite different in its habits (often arboreal) and behavior from the deermice (genus Peromyscus), and the Golden Mouse is monotypic. There are two subspecies in the state. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S5 |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
G5 |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
Ochrotomys nuttalli nuttalli, Ochrotomys nuttalli aureolus
Ochrotomys n. nuttalli occurs over the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, whereas O. n. aureolus occurs in the mountains. |
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