Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse
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Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse Range
The Preble's meadow jumping mouse (PMJM) was listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species on May 13, 1998 under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA defines threatened species as those that are likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all, or a significant portion, of its range. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has identified Preble's meadow jumping mouse (PMJM) habitat as mature plains riparian vegetation with relatively undisturbed grassland and a water source in close proximity. Suitable habitat in Colorado below 7,600 feet in El Paso, Boulder, Douglas, Elbert, Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer, Morgan, Weld, and Jefferson counties is considered within the range of the PMJM. The FWS requires that all ground-disturbing projects within 300 feet of the 100-year flood-plain supporting suitable habitat be assessed for the presence of PMJM. |
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Habitat Description
Preble's meadow jumping mouse habitat consists of riparian areas and their associated upland habitat. Riparian areas occur between the active channel of a river or stream and its associated wetland habitat. Upland habitat areas are those sloping up away from the waterway. Dense vegetation consisting of a variety of grasses, forbs, and thick shrubs are favored. A tall shrub or tree canopy may or may not be present at a given location, but is usually present in patches within the habitat area. Canopy and shrub species ../include coyote willow, alder, Gambel oak, snowberry, ponderosa pine, plains cottonwood, birch, and peachleaf willow. Understory species ../include various grasses and forbs. |