Wooded Mouse

And Lishan pulled out a travel case, air holes punched in the sides. And when he opened the lid, out popped the greenest thing I'd ever seen. Lishan scooped it up in his hands and held it out to me to look at closer. It looked almost like a pile of grass and moss, with a leafy tail and leaf-life ears.

"What is that thing?" I asked. Lishan smirked, undoubtedly pleased to show me up again, the bastard. "This, my dear southern friend, is a wooded mouse!"

— Michel Charron, 1161

The wooded mouse is a woodland mouse native to Maleli and its neighbours. It is a highly sought after pet overseas, particularly in Stolisia.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

Wooded mice are predominantly found in woodland environments, though they can be found in more densely forested regions, and a variant exists in tropical jungles. They can also be found in grasslands and in lush parks, though the closer it gets to civilisation the less likely it is to appear. It likes warm temperatures especially.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Wooded mice are omnivorous, and will eat many of the things that it comes across, such as grain and leaves. Small bugs are also often eaten, particularly ground-level ones such as worms and snails.

Additional Information

Domestication

Wooded mice are very friendly with humans, who have long admired their grass/leaf-like appearance. Simply leaving a few morsels on your back doorstep can often land you a new leafy friend. There are a variant of wooded mice that are specifically bred to be pets, who will often be slightly larger and a more vibrant shade of green, and will often be better and looking after themselves.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Wooded mice are endemic to Maleli and its neighbours, with a few small pockets in neighbouring tropical islands. They have since been introduced to warm regions in the east, and attempts were made to introduce them to Losiné with little success.

As a direct result of these climate issues, procuring a wooded mouse as a pet is incredibly difficult in Losiné, with the prices varying wildly by location. The cheapest by far is Divinice due to their relationship with Maleli. Meanwhile Stolisian and Tsuli buyers would need to import from eastern countries, often Santonia, with the high price point that implies.

The price varies widely in eastern countries, with the lowest prices in temperate zones similar to Maleli, where the mice can be bred fairly easier. The colder the climate, the higher the cost, not including maintenance.

Lifespan

2 years

Average Weight

19g

Average Length

12cm (body length) | 14cm (tail length)