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Photo by Vladimir Dinets
Photo Copyright Vladimir Dinets
Mexican Woodrat
Neotoma mexicana
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5
State (S-rank): S3
External links
General information
The Mexican woodrat, Neotoma mexicana, occurs in parts of the southwestern United States, as well as in much of Mexico. In Utah, the species occurs only in the southeastern corner of the state, where it prefers rocky mountainous areas with relatively open ground. Unlike many other woodrat species, the Mexican woodrat does not build elaborate dens, but rather creates dens in old buildings, rock crevices, and hollow trees.
Females of the species may produce one or two litters of two to five young during the summer. Mexican woodrats are generalized feeders, consuming seeds, leaves, fruits, fungi, cacti, and various other foods as available. The species is primarily active at night.
Woodrats, which are native to the New World, can be distinguished from Old World rats by the presence of hair on their tails rather than bare scaly skin.
Phenology
Mainly nocturnal.
Species range
Southwestern United States (including southeastern Utah, Colorado, extreme western Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas) south through Mexico and Guatemala to El Salvador, and Honduras (populations in the southern extent of the range may prove to represent different species; Edwards and Bradley 2002). Elevational range: 15 m at Nayarit, Mexico, to 4,025 m on Volcan Tajumulco, Guatemala.
Habitat
Mountainous areas; talus slopes, rock piles, and cliffs. Most often associated with open woodland and scrub vegetation. Dens are usually within crack or crevice among boulders, sometimes in hollow tree or abandoned building.
Food habits
Generalized feeder; eats fruits, seeds, nuts, acorns, fungi, and cactus plants where available. May store some food (dried foliage), especially in late summer and fall (Cornely and Baker 1986).
Reproductive characteristics
Breeds March-May in north (Colorado), produces 2 litters annually. Breeding season is longer in south (probably through September in Arizona) Gestation lasts 31-34 days (Cornely and Baker 1986). Average litter size is about 3.5 (2-5).
References
- Biotics Database. 2005. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, NatureServe, and the network of Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers.
- Burt, W. H. and R. P. Grossenheider. 1980. A field guide to the mammals. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 289 pp.
