Its main range extends from the Baltic region, Poland and the Czech Republic eastwards as far as Lake Baikal in Siberia, and from the Arctic Circle southwards to the Carpathians.

[3] The northern birch mouse is largely herbivorous and feeds on buds, shoots, grass seeds, and berries, but it also takes earthworms, insects, and snails, often finding these under loose bark.

It is a skillful climber and often clambers around in trees and shrubs, gripping the twigs and branches with its five-toed feet and using its prehensile tail for additional support.

[3][4] In the summer, the northern birch mouse makes a nest of dry vegetation in a bush, clump of moss, or tussock of grass.

Its population trend is unknown, but the IUCN lists the species as being of least Concern, as it considers that it is unlikely to be declining at such a rate as to justify including it in a more vulnerable category.