It is usually 5–8 inches (12–25 cm) in body length, and has a soft pelage that ranges from golden-brownish to burnt orange in color.

[1] Golden mice live in thick woodlands, swampy areas, among vines, and within small trees and shrubs.

Golden mice in the south-central region of the United States inhabit climates that are hot and wet in the summer and dry in the winter.

Ground nests, frequently located near leaf litter, may be fabricated within sunken areas of the soil or beneath logs.

Floods or wet soil may force golden mice to leave their ground nests and relocate into the trees.

Otherwise, these animals create a nest 100 to 200 mm in size from scratch using different elements, depending on what materials are locally available.

The inner lining of a nest consists of soft materials such as milkweed, cotton, feathers, or fur.

Regional differences occur in the amount of yellowish, reddish and brownish overtones in the dorsal pelage.

[6] Golden mice reproduce all year long; however, the reproductive season varies geographically.

The majority of golden mice reproduce from September to spring in Texas, but from March to October in Kentucky and Tennessee.

[6] Golden mice in captivity tend to reproduce most frequently during the early spring and late summer.

Newborn golden mice are fairly coordinated at birth; however, they have a tendency to remain quietly in one spot.

Upon birth, if handled every few days once their eyes opened, the young golden mice become more docile and are easily managed through their adult life.

Golden mice typically build two different types of nests: one for eating and one for resting and living.

Brimley, C. S. “OUR RATS, MICE AND SHREWS.” Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society, vol.