MEET THE ST. ANDREW BEACH MOUSE...    

This small nocturnal rodent (2.95 inches in length) has a light fur and large ears and small hind legs. The St. Andrew Beach Mouse has sixteen subspecies that can be distinguished by coat color and home range. The two populations of the St. Andrew Beach Mouse inhabit East Crooked Island and St. Joseph Peninsula along the Florida coast. They live in the primary, secondary, and scrub dunes. On East Crooked Island the mice live in primary and secondary dunes while in St. Joseph Peninsula they inhabit high primary and secondary dunes. The mice make burrows within the dunes and among the vegetation to provide cover and shelter. Most mice have a few burrows within the home range they live in for the entirety of their lives.These mice eat mostly seeds, fruits, and occasionally insects. Sea oats, bluestem, dune spurge,ground cherry, and evening primrose are a few examples of native plants that provide food.The beach mouse also eats insects such as beetles and ants. Like humans, St. Andrew Beach Mice mate for life. This species is R-selected as an organism is typically sexually mature at thirty days. The fecundity of a beach mouse averages three to four babies per reproductive bout. The larger the female the larger the litter; therefore, one bout could yield up to five young.

As of December 18th, 1998 the St. Andrew Beach Mouse has been listed on the Endangered Species Act. The species is endangered for a variety of reasons. Destruction of habitat was the first listing factor. The coastal habitat is prime property and land development around the area encroaches on their territory and disrupts the ecosystem. This ecological overlap is a common problem that puts species at risk. Development also causes habitat fragmentation that separates the species into metapopulations. These smaller groups are weaker and more susceptible to threats. The lack of movement between populations also leads to a lack of gene flow causing a lack in genetic diversity. A military base on East Crooked Island also disrupts the ecosystem by performing military exercises in the region. The presence of pedestrians and vehicles in the dunes degrades the dune system. Additionally, the use of artificial lighting disrupts the nocturnal mice causing them to change their behavior leading to further habitat fragmentation. Natural forces such as erosion and storms also negatively impact the area. Another listing factor refers to predation. Cats and hogs present danger to the mice. Feral hogs root up the dune habitat and cats have been known to prey on the beach mice. Yet another listing factor presents the ineffective nature of the existing laws. Beach driving and abandoned cats are both restricted, yet still both remain issues. The Coastal Barrier Resource Act allows for destruction of the dunes habitat through loopholes in the act. Land development is regulated to protect the environment and species in the area yet there is little guidance given to help protect the dunes. The final listing factor outlines all other natural and

manmade phenomena that af- fect the continued existence of the St. Andrew Beach Mouse. These include hurricanes that destruct the dunes and house mice that out compete the beach mice. These threats are all still viable reasons for the reduction of the St. Andrew Beach Mouse population. The Recovery Plan sets forth four objectives in order to bring the critter back from the brink of extinction. First, additional populations will be established while simultaneously the listed threats are minimized. To ensure the existing and new populations have a chance to thrive, the dune habitats will be protected and restored if necessary. In order to keep the St. Andrew Beach Mouse safe for many years to come, the fourth objective raises awareness for the mice through education of the public. As responsible citizens who care about the future of these endemic species we should curb our personal actions that are detrimental to the beach mouse. These little critters do not deserve to be pushed to extinction. For further information on the St. Andrew beach mouse please visit:

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/20110104_SABM_recov_plan_FINAL.pdf] http://myfwc.com/media/2211911/St-Andrew-beach-mouse.pdf

or for more information on endangered species and what you can do: https://www.nwf.org/What-We-Do/Protect-Wildlife/Endangered-Species.aspx 

Written by Anne Caris
Works Cited
N.d. Https://naturescrusaders.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/graytonbeach.jpg. Web.
N.d. Kansas Historical Society. Web. <https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/little-bluestem/17239>.
N.d. Nature Crusaders. Web. <https://naturescrusaders.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/key20largo20cotton

20mouse.jpg>.
N.d. Trade Winds Fruit. Web. <www.tradewindsfruit.com/content/ground-cherry.htm>.
Service, U.s. Fish And Wildlife, and Southeast Regio. “St. Andrew Beach Mouse Recovery Plan.” 

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DREW BEACH MOUSE RECOVERY PLAN (n.d.): n. pag. Web. Usfws), (Photo Courtesy Of. St. Andrew Beach Mouse (n.d.): n. pag. Web.