Physical Description
The body length of O. nuttalli ranges from 50 to 115 mm. The prehensile tail is from 50 to 97 mm in length, generally the same length as the body of the mouse to which it belongs. Golden mice receive their common name from the thick and soft golden fur that covers the upper body. However, the feet and undersides are white and its tail have a cream coloring. Regional differences occur in the amount of yellowish, reddish and brownish overtones in the dorsal pelage. About five subspecies have been described, however, all are likely representative of a regional cline rather than distinct populations. Populations from the Atlantic coastal plain of Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia (O. n. nuttalli) are somewhat brighter (more reddish yellow); populations from the Piedont and mountainous areas to the west (O. n. aureolis) are somewhat more brownish; populations from Texas, northern Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois (O. n. lisae and O. n. flammeus) have more yellowish overtones; populations from the Florida peninsula (O. n. floridanus) are rich yellowish-brown.
Male golden mice have a baculum tipped with cartilage. Females have six mammae.
The cheek teeth of golden mice contain thick folds of enamel. As in other members of Muroidea, these mice have an infraorbital foramen with a distinct keyhole shape. Neither canines nor premolars are present. Incisors are sharp and long, separated from the cheek teeth by a diastema.
Because of their attractive golden colour, golden mice have often been used in books, such a Ragweed, Poppy, Poppy and Rye, Ereth's Birthday and Poppy's Return. (see Avi)
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