Yellow-necked Mouse

The Yellow-necked Mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) is closely related to the wood mouse, with which it was long confused, only being recognised as a separate species in 1894. It differs in its band of yellow fur around the neck and in having slightly larger ears and usually being slightly larger overall. Around 100mm in length, it can climb trees and sometimes overwinters in houses. It is found mostly in mountainous areas of southern Europe, but extends north into parts of Scandinavia and Britain. It is a critical host in the maintenance of tick-borne encephalitis. Other common names are Yellow-necked Field Mouse, Yellow-necked Wood Mouse, and South China Field Mouse.