Eastern woodrat: Difference between revisions
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| image_alt = A large-eared, large-eyed rat, brownish above and white below, in green vegetation.| status = LC |
| image_alt = A large-eared, large-eyed rat, brownish above and white below, in green vegetation.| status = LC |
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| status_system = IUCN3.1 |
| status_system = IUCN3.1 |
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| status_ref = <ref name="iucn">{{cite journal | |
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn">{{cite journal | author = Linzey, A.V. | author2 = NatureServe | author3 = Jordan, R.A. | author4 = Hammerson, G. | last-assessor-amp = yes | title = ''Neotoma floridana'' | journal = [[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] | volume=2008 | page =e.T42650A10740600 | publisher = [[IUCN]] | year =2008 | url = http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T42650A10740600.en | accessdate = 16 November 2016 }}</ref> |
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] |
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] |
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| binomial_authority = ([[George Ord|Ord]], 1818) |
| binomial_authority = ([[George Ord|Ord]], 1818) |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''eastern woodrat''' (''Neotoma floridana''), also known as the '''Florida woodrat''' or '''bush rat''' is a [[pack rat]] native to the central and [[Eastern United States]]. |
The '''eastern woodrat''' (''Neotoma floridana''), also known as the '''Florida woodrat''' or '''bush rat''' is a [[pack rat]] native to the central and [[Eastern United States]]. |
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==Taxonomy== |
==Taxonomy== |
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== Description == |
== Description == |
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The eastern woodrat is a rodent of medium size and is covered in a soft, gray-brown pelage. Sexes are alike, but males tend to be slightly larger.<ref name=mamspec>{{cite journal|journal=Mammalian Species|volume=139|pages= |
The eastern woodrat is a rodent of medium size and is covered in a soft, gray-brown pelage. Sexes are alike, but males tend to be slightly larger.<ref name=mamspec>{{cite journal|journal=Mammalian Species|volume=139|pages=1–7|title=Neotoma floridana|last=Wiley|first=R.|year=1980|url=http://www.science.smith.edu/resources/msi/pdfs/i0076-3519-139-01-0001.pdf}}</ref> |
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== Distribution and habitat == |
== Distribution and habitat == |
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The general distribution of the eastern woodrat ranges latitudinally from central Florida to southeastern New York, and longitudinally from Connecticut to eastern Colorado.<ref name=mamspec/> Reintroduction to north-eastern states such as Illinois have occurred in the 2010s.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Poole|first1=A. K.|last2=Novosak|first2=B. A.|last3=Gooley|first3=A. C.|last4=Ing|first4=D. M.|last5=Bluett|first5=R. D.|last6=Carter|first6=T. C.|last7=Feldhamer|first7=G. A.|year=2013|title=Reintroduction of the eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana) in southern Illinois|journal=Southeastern Naturalist|volume=12|issue=1|pages= |
The general distribution of the eastern woodrat ranges latitudinally from central Florida to southeastern New York, and longitudinally from Connecticut to eastern Colorado.<ref name=mamspec/> Reintroduction to north-eastern states such as Illinois have occurred in the 2010s.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Poole|first1=A. K.|last2=Novosak|first2=B. A.|last3=Gooley|first3=A. C.|last4=Ing|first4=D. M.|last5=Bluett|first5=R. D.|last6=Carter|first6=T. C.|last7=Feldhamer|first7=G. A.|year=2013|title=Reintroduction of the eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana) in southern Illinois|journal=Southeastern Naturalist|volume=12|issue=1|pages=1–10}}</ref> The species has been recovered as a [[fossil]] from [[late Pleistocene]] deposits in southeastern [[New Mexico]], several hundred miles southwest of its nearest current range.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Harris|first1=A. H.|year=1984|title=''Neotoma'' in the Late Pleistocene of New Mexico and Chihuahua|journal=Special Publications of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History|volume=8|pages=164–178}}</ref> |
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The species inhabits wooded areas, swamps and hedges, with a variety of different habitat preferences reported for the recognized geographic subspecies.<ref name="iucn"/> |
The species inhabits wooded areas, swamps and hedges, with a variety of different habitat preferences reported for the recognized geographic subspecies.<ref name="iucn"/> |
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As with most members of the genus, the eastern woodrat feeds opportunistically on nuts, seeds, fungi, buds, stems, roots, foliage, and fruits.<ref name="iucn" /> While the eastern woodrat's nest is typically found on the ground, it is a capable climber and may forage above ground.<ref name=mamspec/> The species is solitary except during breeding season.<ref name=mamspec/> It is nocturnal and thus does most of its foraging at night.<ref name=rossell/> |
As with most members of the genus, the eastern woodrat feeds opportunistically on nuts, seeds, fungi, buds, stems, roots, foliage, and fruits.<ref name="iucn" /> While the eastern woodrat's nest is typically found on the ground, it is a capable climber and may forage above ground.<ref name=mamspec/> The species is solitary except during breeding season.<ref name=mamspec/> It is nocturnal and thus does most of its foraging at night.<ref name=rossell/> |
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Nests are built of sticks, debris, and various plant materials, depending on habitat. They are re-used over multiple years and may become quite large. Nests have been found to provide habitat for a number of other species including rabbits, mice, snakes, amphibians, and various invertebrates.<ref name="iucn"/> The species does not hibernate, even in the northern extremes of its range.<ref name=rossell>{{cite journal|last1=Rossell Jr |
Nests are built of sticks, debris, and various plant materials, depending on habitat. They are re-used over multiple years and may become quite large. Nests have been found to provide habitat for a number of other species including rabbits, mice, snakes, amphibians, and various invertebrates.<ref name="iucn"/> The species does not hibernate, even in the northern extremes of its range.<ref name=rossell>{{cite journal|last1=Rossell Jr|first1=C. R.|last2=Roach|first2=S. H.|last3=Rossell|first3=I. M.|last4=McGrath|first4=C.|year=2009|title=Attributes of rock crevices selected by Allegheny and eastern woodrats in the zone of contact in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina|journal=American Midland Naturalist|volume=162|issue=1|pages=200–206}}</ref> The breeding season tends to be long, and ranges from March–October in Oklahoma to all year in Florida. Litters are comparatively small (2-4 young), but there may be up to three litters per year.<ref name="iucn"/> |
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Predators of the eastern woodrat include the [[black rat snake]] and [[long-tailed weasel]].<ref name="iucn" /> |
Predators of the eastern woodrat include the [[black rat snake]] and [[long-tailed weasel]].<ref name="iucn" /> |
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Revision as of 16:30, 1 December 2016
| Eastern woodrat | |
|---|---|
| |
| Neotoma floridana smalli | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | N. floridana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Neotoma floridana (Ord, 1818)
| |
The eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana), also known as the Florida woodrat or bush rat is a pack rat native to the central and Eastern United States.
Taxonomy
The eastern woodrat was previously considered conspecific with the Allegheny woodrat but is now considered a separate species.[1]
Description
The eastern woodrat is a rodent of medium size and is covered in a soft, gray-brown pelage. Sexes are alike, but males tend to be slightly larger.[2]
Distribution and habitat
The general distribution of the eastern woodrat ranges latitudinally from central Florida to southeastern New York, and longitudinally from Connecticut to eastern Colorado.[2] Reintroduction to north-eastern states such as Illinois have occurred in the 2010s.[3] The species has been recovered as a fossil from late Pleistocene deposits in southeastern New Mexico, several hundred miles southwest of its nearest current range.[4]
The species inhabits wooded areas, swamps and hedges, with a variety of different habitat preferences reported for the recognized geographic subspecies.[1]
Ecology
As with most members of the genus, the eastern woodrat feeds opportunistically on nuts, seeds, fungi, buds, stems, roots, foliage, and fruits.[1] While the eastern woodrat's nest is typically found on the ground, it is a capable climber and may forage above ground.[2] The species is solitary except during breeding season.[2] It is nocturnal and thus does most of its foraging at night.[5]
Nests are built of sticks, debris, and various plant materials, depending on habitat. They are re-used over multiple years and may become quite large. Nests have been found to provide habitat for a number of other species including rabbits, mice, snakes, amphibians, and various invertebrates.[1] The species does not hibernate, even in the northern extremes of its range.[5] The breeding season tends to be long, and ranges from March–October in Oklahoma to all year in Florida. Litters are comparatively small (2-4 young), but there may be up to three litters per year.[1]
Predators of the eastern woodrat include the black rat snake and long-tailed weasel.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Linzey, A.V.; NatureServe; Jordan, R.A.; Hammerson, G. (2008). "Neotoma floridana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. IUCN: e.T42650A10740600. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|last-assessor-amp=ignored (help) - ^ a b c d Wiley, R. (1980). "Neotoma floridana" (PDF). Mammalian Species. 139: 1–7.
- ^ Poole, A. K.; Novosak, B. A.; Gooley, A. C.; Ing, D. M.; Bluett, R. D.; Carter, T. C.; Feldhamer, G. A. (2013). "Reintroduction of the eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana) in southern Illinois". Southeastern Naturalist. 12 (1): 1–10.
- ^ Harris, A. H. (1984). "Neotoma in the Late Pleistocene of New Mexico and Chihuahua". Special Publications of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 8: 164–178.
- ^ a b Rossell Jr, C. R.; Roach, S. H.; Rossell, I. M.; McGrath, C. (2009). "Attributes of rock crevices selected by Allegheny and eastern woodrats in the zone of contact in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina". American Midland Naturalist. 162 (1): 200–206.
- Monty, Anne-Marie; Emerson, Robert E. (2003). "Eastern Woodrat". In Feldhamer, George A.; et al. (eds.). Wild mammals of North America: biology, management, and conservation. JHU Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-7416-1.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|last-author-amp=ignored (|name-list-style=suggested) (help)