Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Not confirmed.

 

CHARACTERISTICS: This is a medium-sized rodent with a total length
of 362-409 mm and a weight of 200-275 grams. This species is grayish
brown with a white or grayish belly and has a soft coat, large, black,
protuberant eyes, and large and sparsely-haired ears. Its tail is bicolor;
white beneath, brown above. Woodrats seldom emit vocalizations,
although they may squeal when fighting or injured. They can grate
their teeth to make a chattering sound. They often thump their hind
feet in response to fear or anger. This species breeds in the spring,
summer, and fall, but usually only has 1 litter per year of 2-4 young
per litter. Fecundity in the wild is reported to be low. The woodrat
builds a house of sticks, rocks, bones, and debris. A typical house is
1.2 meters in diameter and about 1 meter tall, constructed primarily
of twigs and sticks. The house generally contains two or more nests
near the center of the structure. This species stores food in compact
galleries at the top of the house beginning in September or October.
They will also collect and store small strange objects that they find
such as bottle caps, bones, coins, shotgun shells or rings. Woodrat
houses are utilized by white-footed mice, eastern cottontail and other
species of snakes, lizards, and toads.

 

DISTRIBUTION: The eastern woodrat is found from the Blue Ridge
westward, generally where cliffs, rock slides, or caves are present.
This species, throughout their eastern range, are adaptable to various
habitats, living in caves and rock slides where available in the mountains,
and in the woods and swamps.

 

FOODS: They eat and store almost any plant material, including fungi,
bulbs, seeds, and fruit. They will also eat carrion. Drinking water
apparently is not needed.

 

 

Back to Inventory of Mammal Families and Species