In South Asia, it is a nocturnal, fossorial and sometimes terrestrial species. It occurs in all types of habitats except deserts. It is often found in fields and tall grassland habitat close to rivers. It has been found to occupy irrigated and cultivated fields (Molur et al. 2005). In China, it occurs in secondary growth, grass, brush, rice fields and other agricultural areas (Smith and Xie 2008). In Southeast Asia, this species is found in open areas in deciduous dipterocarp forest, grasslands and paddyfields (Marshall 1977). This species is often sympatric with Mus caroli (Marshall 1977).

Red List Category

Red List Criteria

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Justification

History

• 1996
  Lower Risk/least concern

It is a common species, and can be locally very abundant.

Stable

There appear to be no major threats to this species.

It is presumably present in many protected areas (eg. Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal in India). No direct conservation measures are currently needed for this widespread and adaptable species. It is listed in the Schedule V (considered as vermin) of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Further studies are needed to clarify the taxonomic status of populations currently allocated to this species.