The appearance and development of growing young of Z. hudsonius in successive weeks is described by Quimby (1951:65). Newborn young are pink and hairless except for microscopic vibrissae. The eyes and external auditory meatus are closed, and the pinnae are folded. The toes are fleshy and clawless; the tail is short in relation to the length of the body. The average weight was .78 grams. The average measurements of three from different litters are: total length, 34 mm; tail, 9.2 mm; hind foot, 4.7 mm. The young are helpless but capable of emitting a high pitched squeaking sound which is audible for several feet.
In the first week of growth the vibrissae become visible to the naked eye, the body changes to flesh color, the dorsal parts become dark gray, the pinna unfolds and is black tipped, and the claws appear. The young now are able to crawl and make a suckling noise, but they are not yet able to support themselves on their legs.
In the second week of development, tawny yellow hair appears on the back and spreads onto the sides. Sparse hair of a lighter color appears on the belly, backs of the feet, and outer surfaces of the legs. Vibrissae are now prominent. The eyes are still closed, but a crack down the center of each is visible by the 13th day. Claws have grown, the longest measuring 1.5 mm. The incisors erupt on approximately the 13th day, those in the lower jaw appearing slightly before those in the upper jaw, and all are white. Activity is increased; nevertheless the young still crawl, make suckling notes, and squeak.
In the third week of development the mice are covered with hair; darker hair appears dorsally; and vibrissae continue rapid growth. The external auditory meatus begins to open on about the 19th day and young react to sound on the 20th. The incisors now are 1 mm long and the claws 1.5 mm long. Young are able to support themselves on their legs, walk, and make one inch hops.
In the fourth week the juvenal pelage is replaced by adult pelage. The eyes open between the 22nd and 25th days. The color of the incisors changes from white to yellowish-orange as in the adults. P4, M1, M2, m1 and m2 have emerged from the maxillary and dentary bones; M3 and m3 have not yet erupted. A mouse 33 days old had all teeth well developed. By the end of the 4th week the young, except for size, are adultlike and capable of independent existence.
The greatest increase in dimensions of the body is in the first four weeks. A slowing down of growth is simultaneous with weaning.
Other workers, Sheldon (1938:330), Petrides (1948:76), and Ivor (1934:8) also describe the appearance of the young.
Summer nesting sites are usually on the surface of the ground. Jumping mice characteristically construct a globular nest of grass but will utilize other vegetation if grasses are not available. Nests are usually concealed under rocks, logs, bushes, or grass and can be entered by a hole at one side.
Sheldon (1938:328) described a nest of Z. hudsonius found on the ground near the edge of a small hay field. The nest was globular, not more than four inches in outside diameter and two inches in inside diameter; it was closely woven of fine, dry grass and bits of moss. Another nest found in the same field measured 11.5 inches in circumference at the base and six inches in circumference over the top. The inside width and length each was three inches, and the inside height was 3.5 inches. Vernon Bailey (1927:118) remarks that summer nests are placed on the surface of the ground well concealed under grass or other vegetation. He describes the nest as “neat little balls of fine grass with a tiny opening at one side and a soft lining in the central chamber.” Cory (1912:249) reports that summer nests are concealed behind rocks or under bushes and thick grass. The nests are round and four or five inches in diameter with an entrance hole at one side. Goodwin (1935:148) examined a nest made entirely of straight, narrow leaves of grass. Ivor (1934:8) found one made of finely shredded jute sacking. Quimby (1951:80) describes several nests: one in the center of a rotten willow log was lined with small pieces of pulpy wood; another was in the rotted wood and debris, at ground level, inside a large, red oak (this globular nest composed of grasses, plant fibers, and rootlets measured six inches in diameter). Another nest was composed of a pile of wood pulp, leaves of oaks, and grasses; this nest was in a hollow root detached from a willow tree.
The mean home range of males, of Z. hudsonius in Minnesota, according to Quimby (1951:86), was 2.70 plus or minus .50 acres; this was significantly larger than the mean home range of females, 1.57 plus or minus .27 acres. According to Quimby (loc. cit.), the size and shape of the home range is influenced by the general features of the terrain, density and type of cover, and land use in the immediate area. Quimby (1951:94) remarked that the home range of the jumping mouse is relatively unstable and Blair (1940:247) stated that the home ranges of both sexes generally overlapped the ranges of other members of the same species and sex. The average size of the home range for Z. hudsonius in Michigan was .89 plus or minus .11 acres for males and .92 plus or minus .11 acres for females.