Although not uncommon, these little mice are not often seen, and when they are found, they are hopping at great speed through the forest (they hop 6 to 8 feet at a jump, looking like a mini-kangaroo). They are very small, but with a tail about 2 1/2 times their body length, and with a distinctive brownish patch on their back. This one was sitting with its head under a clump of a grass in an opening in the woods, and I picked it up to see if it was hurt (because it is unusual for them to stay still). As best I could tell, it seemed fine and when I put it down it jumped along at great speed!