[Animals] Dusky-Footed Woodrat

[X A V I]

 

The Dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes) is a species of nocturnal rodent from North America. Woodrats are nicknamed "packrats" or "trade rats" because they tend to hoard things, build large domed dens, and "trade" by dropping then picking up another object for it.Dusky-footed woodrats are found in Mexico and the United States. They occur from Oregon into the northern part of Baja California. They are found along the Pacific coast, west of the deserts and Great Basin. Woodrats live near streams and in juniper and mixed coniferous forests. They prefer living in chaparral areas with dense ground cover because these areas offer a steady food supply and protection from predators, as well as an abundance of materials to build houses. In northeastern California, woodrats can inhabit lava rims and beds with enough vegetation cover.