![]() ![]() ![]() Pack rat species breed in spring, with females giving birth to small litters of 2-3 pups after a gestation period of about one month. Insects are also common prey for pack rats, with some species consuming enough arthropods to change the nutrient-profile of the soils near their shell middens. Young plant shoots, twigs, and leaves are common food items as well as the fruits and flowers of various plant species. Most pack rats species are omnivores, feeding on a combination of plants and animals. Typically, these dens are built in caves or cracks in the rocks but they will also occupy attics and house walls where they are forced to by the encroachment of human development on their natural habitats. ![]() Typically, these contain several nest chambers as well as caches for food and debris storage. Pack rats are known for building complex dens made of twigs and other plant debris. Some pack rat species live at the base of cactuses, using the plants as a defense against predators Each species tends to occupy a slightly different habitat, but most live in from low-lying deserts to steep alpine forests throughout this general range. They are also frequently observed in western Canada, where there is plenty of their preferred habitat, forests, and woodlands. Pack rats are common throughout North America, particularly in the United States and northern Mexico. Pack rats also have long tails, often covered in bushy fur. Subspecies of many species are identified by their distinct color morphs such as all black. They have medium-sized bodies with brownish-grey fur in most cases. Although not rats like those of the genus Rattus spp., they have a distinctly rat-like appearance and are larger than many mice to which they also resemble. DescriptionĪlso known as the wood rat, pack rats are typically 10.5-18.5 in (272-470 cm) long and weigh 10-21 oz (300-600 g). There are almost 25 extant species and subspecies found throughout North America. They are small rodents with long tails and a familiar rat-like appearance. The pack rat refers to all members of the genus Neotoma. Foxes, birds of prey, cats, weasels, etc. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |