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Wildlife Hotline: (516) 674-0982
Wildlife Center of Long Island
Wildlife Hotline: (516) 674-0982

Small Rodents on Long Island

Long Island is home to many different species of small mammals including mice, rats, chipmunks, voles, shrews, flying squirrels, and muskrats. All of these animals are part of the rodent family which means they have one pair of upper and lower incisors that grow continuously. They gnaw on wood, bark, and branches to keep their teeth trimmed down. They eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds, leaves, and small invertebrates.

Mouse on Long Island

Mouse

Rat on Long Island

Rat

Chipmunk on Long Island

Chipmunk

Vole on Long Island

Vole

Flying Squirrel on Long Island

Flying Squirrel

Shrew on Long Island

Shrew

Did you know?

Not all of these small mammals hibernate. Only chipmunks and muskrats hibernate during the winter. Chipmunks hibernate in underground burrows and muskrats hibernate in dome-shaped lodges only accessible through an underwater entrance. Mice, rats, voles, shrews, and flying squirrels all remain active during the winter.

Coexisting with Small Rodents

These small mammals are an important part of our environment here are some ways to easily coexist with them.

  • Don’t scatter birdseed. Instead, use mammal proof feeders like these
  • Never use glue or snap traps. Instead, use humane traps like these,  be sure not to relocate animals after trapping them
  • Keep garage and shed doors closed and seal up any entrances to your house

Help Us Support Wildlife

We rely on donations from the community to provide the best possible rescue, care and rehabilitation to Long Island’s Wildlife.

Wildlife on Long Island

Long Island is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and marine life. Here are some examples of the wildlife you might find on Long Island.

Opossums

Pigeons

Rabbits

Raccoons

Raptors

Reptiles & Amphibians

Shorebirds & Seabirds

Songbirds

Squirrels

Waterfowl

Woodchucks