ABSTRACT
Woodrats (genus Neotoma) occupy a wide array of environments from the tropics to high mountains. Most of the some 16 species occur in western U.S., Mexico, and Central America; one lives in the eastern U.S. Woodrats are primarily nocturnal, are herbivorous, do not hibernate, and typically build dens of sticks, small stones, bones, and other debris. Dens are usually situated in rock outcrops or dense patches of vegetation. 1 A den generally harbors only one woodrat at a time. 2 Woodrats are agile climbers and some species are largely arboreal foragers.
