No copies of this work may be distributed electronically outside of the subscribed institution, in whole or in part, without written permission from the JHU Press . Bianchi et al. The pelage is soft and full, varying above from mouse gray to dark brown. Some species have a red hue to the fur. The underside is white to dark gray, tinged with fulvous.
Females have eight mammae.
South American field mice occur in a variety of habitats, including relatively arid country, grasslands, humid forests, and mountain meadows. The altitudinal range is from near sea level to about 5,000 meters. Some species are frequently found in human houses. Various species of Akodon have been reported to be diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular, or active at any time. The young were weaned at 14-15 days of age and reached sexual maturity at 2 months, though young born late in the season did not become sexually mature until the following breeding season.