Harvest Mouse

1. Rodent that is becoming scarce in the Midlands and rare further north.
2. In summer it can often be seen climbing up stalks of plants.
3. Winters are spent in burrows just below the surface.
4. White and orange in colour.
5. For a while the harvest mouse was considered to be our smallest British mammal, but the discovery of the pigmy shrew lost him his title - 60mm v 45 mm.

Stoat

1. 8½ to 12½ inches in length, 3-4½ inch tail.  Plays with its tail and gradually creeps up to a flock of birds.
2. Tip of tail remains black both in summer and winter.
3. Often hunts along stone walls and buildings in winter.
4. Mainly active by night rises on hind legs now and again to have a look around.
5. Excellent climber.
6. Has a home range of 75-100 acres but only part of this is searched every day.
7. Very clever at rolling eggs under chin for long distances.

Rabbit

1. Prior to myxomatosis over 3,000 rabbits were caught annually in this area.
2. It is possible for a doe to produce a litter of 3-6 young every month, but on average a doe will produce about 10 live young a year.
3. In 1827 and earlier, many people were employed in Brigg dressing rabbit skins. In 1867, Risby Warren was supplying a large number of silver-grey rabbits to Brigg for glove-making.
4. Introduced in the 12th century by the Normans for food and sport, and originally from Spain.
5. The rabbit population had reached 60-100 million by the early 1950s.
6. Until the 18th century, adult rabbits were called “coneys” - only the young being referred to as rabbits. A collection of rabbit burrows being called “coney earths” - until later when they were called “warrens.”
7. Rabbits are very rarely seen to drink.
8. Breeding season January to June. Gestation 28-30 days, breeding again 12 hours after birth.
9. Myxomatosis  originated in Brazil, introduced in France near Paris in 1952, and Kent in 1953.
10. An animal suffering from the virus disease is feverish and the nose and eyes are inflamed and exude a discharge.
11. An animal that has recovered from the disease is rarely reinfected because antibodies have been produced that confer immunity.
12. Immune does transfer the antibodies to their offspring.

Brown Rat

1. Brown rat also known as the sewer rat, Norwegian rat and field rat.
2. First reached Britain in the early 17th century.
3. Swims well, climbs well, and when cornered will sit up to defend itself.
4. Life span is about 18 months.  Has a litter every 6 weeks throughout the year with occasional nests in between.
5. Breeds when only 3 months old. Litters vary from 1-20 (average 10).
6. Carry disease organisms - Weil’s disease.

Brown Hare

1. Tail black on the upper side when held horizontally when running.
2. Ears are long and distinctly marked with a black tip.
3. Colour fluctuates with natural surroundings - sand, loam, clay, etc.
4. Spends the day solitarily, lying in forms, and after sunset comes out to feed.
5. Mad as a March hare.
6. Hares are said never to drink.
7. They are creatures of habit, having particular entrances and exits to fields, making them easy to poach.
8. They often head uphill when in danger.

Hedgehog (Urchin)

1. Not built for speed but can run quite fast and outpace a walking man.
2. If the mother is disturbed when her young are newly born, she will usually eat them.