Pack Rat
Related Category: Vertebrate Zoology
rodent of the genus Neotoma, of North and Central America, noted for its habit of collecting bright, shiny objects and leaving other objects, such as nuts or pebbles, in their place; ...
Rattlesnakes, especially Western Diamondbacks (Crotalus atrox) are often found commensally for part of the year in pack rat middens. It seems that the snakes go deep into the middens and are sealed in by the rats during the cold part of the year.
Pack rats (most common associated species); tortoises often found covered with pack rat 'rubbish'.
Banded geckos
Desert scaly lizards
Spotted night snakes
Sidewinder rattlesnakes
Great Basin rattlesnakes
Gopher snakes
Burrowing owls ...
OTHER NAME: Pack rat
DESCRIPTION: Eastern wood rats are relatively large with head and body lengths of 14 to 17 inches; tail length of 6 to 8 inches; hind foot length of 1.4 to 1.8 inches; and weight of 7 to 16 ounces.
Examples include the North American pack rats, a number of species loosely called kangaroo rats, and others. Rats such as the Bandicoot rat Bandicota bengalensis are murine rodents related to true rats, but are not members of the genus Rattus.
Evidence from fossil pack rat middens indicates that Hinckley's oak was more common 10,000 years ago when the climate of west Texas was wetter. Life History This unique shrub produces small acorns in the fall.
Remarks: Predators of the eastern woodrat include snakes, skunks, coyotes, foxes, hawks, and owls. Its habit of bringing odd items to its nest has given it the name of "pack rat." Maximum longevity of this rat in nature is about three years.
*** Woodrats collect a variety of material for their nests, often selecting pieces of silverware or other shiny objects from camps. This habit has given them the name of "trade rat" or "pack rat." ...
Other diseases rats carry include rats bite fever, tularemia, and rabies. Brown and albino rasps are often used as laboratory animals . Various other rodents of the same family are called rats, e.g., African giant rat , kangaroo rat, pack rats, ...
 See also: Rat, Burro, Wood Rat, Kangaroo Rat, Kangaroo
  
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