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Cricetidae - New World Rats, Mice, Voles, Muskrats, Lemmings, Hamsters

This is the largest family of rodents and the second largest family of mammals. There are 698 species in this diverse family that includes mice, rats, voles, lemmings, and hamsters. They are found in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

They are found in a variety of habitats, including swamps, grasslands, tundra, deciduous forests, coniferous forests, rainforests, deserts, wetlands, mountains, and suburban and urban areas.

The rodents in this family range in size from tiny mice to the muskrat. Most species have rounded ears, short bodies, long tails, and big eyes. Cricetids usually have brown or gray fur.

Most species have large litters of babies and can breed when they are just a few months old. Most species only live for a year or two and are prey for many predators.

Many species are nocturnal. Some species live above ground, other species burrow underground, and other species live in trees. Some species spend a lot of time in the water. Some species are solitary, and other species live in groups. Some cricetids are herbivores, others are carnivores, and some are omnivores.

  • The tundra vole is also known as the root vole. It is found in Northern and Central Europe, Asia, and northwestern North America, including Alaska and northwestern Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tundra Vole
    (Alexandromys oeconomus)
    The tundra vole is also known as the root vole. It is found in Northern and Central Europe, Asia, and northwestern North America, including Alaska and northwestern Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The collared lemming is found in northern Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Collared Lemming
    (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus)
    The collared lemming is found in northern Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Ungava collared lemming is found in northeastern Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Ungava Collared Lemming
    (Dicrostonyx hudsonius)
    The Ungava collared lemming is found in northeastern Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The brown lemming is found in Alaska, northern Canada, and Russia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Brown Lemming
    (Lemmus trimucronatus)
    The brown lemming is found in Alaska, northern Canada, and Russia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The beach vole is only found on Muskeget Island, off the west coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Beach Vole
    (Microtus breweri)
    The beach vole is only found on Muskeget Island, off the west coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The California vole is found from Oregon to Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    California Vole
    (Microtus californicus)
    The California vole is found from Oregon to Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rock vole is found in eastern Canada and the U.S., including New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rock Vole
    (Microtus chrotorrhinus)
    The rock vole is found in eastern Canada and the U.S., including New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Mexican vole is found in Mexico and in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Mexican Vole
    (Microtus mexicanus)
    The Mexican vole is found in Mexico and in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The singing vole is found in Alaska and Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Singing Vole
    (Microtus miurus)
    The singing vole is found in Alaska and Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Pahranagat Valley montane vole is found in British Columbia, Canada and British Columbia); United States (Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, California, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, Arizona. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pahranagat Valley Montane Vole
    (Microtus montanus)
    Pahranagat Valley montane vole is found in British Columbia, Canada and British Columbia); United States (Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, California, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, Arizona. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The creeping vole is found in western Washington, Oregon, and California. It is also found in British Columbia in Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Creeping Vole
    (Microtus oregoni)
    The creeping vole is found in western Washington, Oregon, and California. It is also found in British Columbia in Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The meadow vole is found in Canada in the northern U.S. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Meadow Vole
    (Microtus pennsylvanicus)
    The meadow vole is found in Canada in the northern U.S. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The woodland vole is found from southern Canada south across much of the central and eastern U.S., including New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Woodland Vole
    (Microtus pinetorum)
    The woodland vole is found from southern Canada south across much of the central and eastern U.S., including New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The water vole is found in British Columbia, and Alberta, Canada and in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Washington. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Water Vole
    (Microtus richardsoni)
    The water vole is found in British Columbia, and Alberta, Canada and in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Washington. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The western red-backed vole is found from southeastern Washington to northeastern California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Western Red-Backed Vole
    (Myodes californicus)
    The western red-backed vole is found from southeastern Washington to northeastern California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The southern red-backed vole is found from British Columbia east to Newfoundland in Canada and in the northern United States from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachian Mountains. The southern red-backed vole is found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Southern Red-Backed Vole
    (Myodes gapperi)
    The southern red-backed vole is found from British Columbia east to Newfoundland in Canada and in the northern United States from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachian Mountains. The southern red-backed vole is found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The northern red-backed vole is found in Alaska, northern Canada, China, Japan, Finland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and North Korea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Northern Red-Backed Vole
    (Myodes rutilus)
    The northern red-backed vole is found in Alaska, northern Canada, China, Japan, Finland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and North Korea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-throated woodrat is found in California, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona. I is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Throated Woodrat
    (Neotoma albigula)
    The white-throated woodrat is found in California, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona. I is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The bushy-tailed woodrat is found in the western U.S. and Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Bushy-tailed Woodrat
    (Neotoma cinerea)
    The bushy-tailed woodrat is found in the western U.S. and Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The eastern woodrat, also known as the Florida woodrat, is found in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Missouri, North Carolina, and Illinois. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Eastern Woodrat
    (Neotoma floridana)
    The eastern woodrat, also known as the Florida woodrat, is found in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Missouri, North Carolina, and Illinois. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The San Joaquin Valley Woodrat, also known as the riparian woodrat and the dusky-footed woodrat, is found in southwestern Washington, western Oregon, and western California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    San Joaquin Valley Woodrat
    (Neotoma fuscipes)
    The San Joaquin Valley Woodrat, also known as the riparian woodrat and the dusky-footed woodrat, is found in southwestern Washington, western Oregon, and western California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The desert woodrat is found in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and California. It is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Desert Woodat
    (Neotoma lepida)
    The desert woodrat is found in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and California. It is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-toothed woodrat is found in southeastern Colorado, eastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma and Texas south to central Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Toothed Woodrat
    (Neotoma leucodon)
    The white-toothed woodrat is found in southeastern Colorado, eastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma and Texas south to central Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The big-eared wood rat is found from California to northwestern Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Big-eared Woodrat
    (Neotoma macrotis)
    The big-eared wood rat is found from California to northwestern Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Allegheny woodrat is found in the Appalachian Mountains from western Connecticut south to Alabama. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Allegheny Woodrat
    (Neotoma magister)
    The Allegheny woodrat is found in the Appalachian Mountains from western Connecticut south to Alabama. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • In the U.S., the Mexican woodrat is found in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Utah, Colorado, and Oklahoma. It is also found in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Mexican Woodrat
    (Neotoma mexicana)
    In the U.S., the Mexican woodrat is found in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Utah, Colorado, and Oklahoma. It is also found in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The southern plains woodrat is found in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado. It is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Southern Plains Woodrat
    (Neotoma micropus)
    The southern plains woodrat is found in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado. It is also found in Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The muskrat is found from northern North America south to the Mexican border. It is not found in parts of California, Florida, and Texas. It is found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Muskrat
    (Ondatra zibethicus)
    The muskrat is found from northern North America south to the Mexican border. It is not found in parts of California, Florida, and Texas. It is found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Coues’s rice rat is found in Texas, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Coues’s Rice ay
    (Oryzomys couesi)
    Coues’s rice rat is found in Texas, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The brush mouse is found in New Mexico, California, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Brush Mouse
    (Peromyscus boylii)
    The brush mouse is found in New Mexico, California, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The California mouse is found in California and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    California Mouse
    (Peromyscus californicus)
    The California mouse is found in California and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Key Largo cotton mouse is found in Louisiana, Virginia, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Georgia, and South Carolina. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Key Largo Cotton Mouse
    (Peromyscus gossypinus)
    The Key Largo cotton mouse is found in Louisiana, Virginia, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Georgia, and South Carolina. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-footed mouse is found from Canada south across most of central and eastern U.S. into Mexico. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Footed Mouse
    (Peromyscus leucopus)
    The white-footed mouse is found from Canada south across most of central and eastern U.S. into Mexico. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The North American deer mouse is found from Canada to Mexico. It is found in new Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    North American Deer Mouse
    (Peromyscus maniculatus)
    The North American deer mouse is found from Canada to Mexico. It is found in new Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-eared mouse is found in Arizona and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Eared Mouse
    (Peromyscus melanotis)
    The black-eared mouse is found in Arizona and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The fulvous harvest mouse is found in New Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana. It is also found in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Fulvous Harvest Mouse
    (Reithrodontomys fulvescens)
    The fulvous harvest mouse is found in New Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana. It is also found in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The salt marsh harvest mouse is found in the salt marshes bordering San Francisco Bay in California. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse
    (Reithrodontomys raviventris)
    The salt marsh harvest mouse is found in the salt marshes bordering San Francisco Bay in California. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered

Did You Know?

The plain chachalaca is found in southern Texas.
The plain chachalaca is found in southern Texas.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

Common Muskrat - Ondatra zibethicusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaEuropeAsia
Southern Red-Backed Vole - Myodes gapperiLeast ConcernNorth/Central America

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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