The Harvest Mouse (Micromys Minutus) Nest Density and Dimensions in Slovakia

Tej, Branislav; Csanády, Alexander

doi:10.2478/eko-2025-0016

Abstract

Our research in Slovakia identified key plant species that support nesting by the Eurasian harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) in field-edge and marginal habitats. Nests were most often found in couch grass (Elymus repens), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and bramble (Rubus plicatus). They were typically circle and oval and located in the middle part of the plant, with nest height depending on the height of the vegetation. Nest density varied greatly between sites and years, ranging from 1 to 3 nests/ha to over 270 nests/ha. The highest values were recorded in the Košická kotlina basin, such as 279.4 nests/ha in Košice part Šebastovce (Line 1) in 2021. These findings suggest that well-structured edge habitats can support high harvest mouse densities and play a key role in species conservation.

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The Harvest Mouse (Micromys Minutus) Nest Density and Dimensions in Slovakia

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