Family: Muridae, Mice and Rats view all from this family

Description Large woodrat with bushy, squirrel-like tail. Ears are large, thinly haired, and almost translucent. Back varies from pale gray to blackish brown and belly is buff to whitish; animals in cooler climates have darker coloration. Fur is long and dense. Whiskers are long. Some subspecies have white hair along mid-ventral line, others have white throats. Nocturnal and active year-round, these are classic packrats, carrying a wide variety of items back to the nest. Dens are haphazard accumulations of sticks, bones, and other material, often dropped in cracks and crevices. Urination spots often conspicuous. Found in wooded, mountainous habitats in the Northwest.

Dimensions 310-470mm, 130-225mm, 180-585g; / 275-410mm, 120-195mm, 165-370g

Habitat Alpine & subalpine habitats, Forests & woodlands

Range Plains, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, California, Northwest, Western Canada, Alaska

Discussion Nocturnal and active year-round, these are classic packrats, carrying a wide variety of items back to the nest. Dens are haphazard accumulations of sticks, bones, and other material, often dropped in cracks and crevices. Urination spots often conspicuous. Found in wooded, mountainous habitats in the Northwest.