Big-eared woodrat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big-eared woodrat |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Neotoma
|
| Species: |
macrotis
|
The big-eared woodrat (Neotoma macrotis) is a type of rodent that is active at night, meaning it is nocturnal. It belongs to a group of animals called woodrats. These furry creatures are found only in western North America. You can find them from the California Coast Ranges south of Monterey Bay all the way to northern Baja California. They also live in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Big-eared woodrats are usually light to dark brown. Their bellies are often a lighter color. They have big, movable ears, large eyes, and a long tail covered in fur. These woodrats mostly eat plants and live in trees. They are a very important part of forest ecosystems, especially where oak trees grow.
Contents
What is a Big-Eared Woodrat?
Even though they are called "woodrats," these animals are not related to common rats. They are very different from the rats you might see in cities. Big-eared woodrats are part of the Neotoma genus. This means they are similar to other pack rat species.
For a long time, the big-eared woodrat was thought to be a type of dusky-footed woodrat. But in 2002, scientists studied them closely. They found that the big-eared woodrat (Neotoma macrotis) is its own unique species. Because of this, some older information might talk about both types of woodrats together.
It can be hard to tell the two species apart just by looking at them. However, scientists can see small differences in their bodies. These tiny details help them know which woodrat is which.
Where Do Big-Eared Woodrats Live?
The big-eared woodrat lives in the southern part of what used to be the dusky-footed woodrat's home range. You can find them along the west coast of North America. Their range stretches from just south of Monterey Bay down to Baja California.
They also live in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. Many big-eared woodrats are found across Southern California. Some groups also live in California's central valley. They like to live in areas with:
- Coastal chaparral (dense shrubs)
- Sage scrub (low-growing plants)
- Thickly wooded areas
They especially like places with coast live oak trees. They also prefer areas with lots of plants growing close to the ground.
What Do Big-Eared Woodrats Eat?
Big-eared woodrats are mostly herbivores, meaning they eat plants. They eat many different kinds of plants throughout their lives. Most plant-eating mammals eat a wide variety of foods. But big-eared woodrats are special. They prefer to eat leaves from plants that are very fibrous. These leaves also have high amounts of chemicals called tannins and polyphenolics.
Oak trees are a great example of what they like to eat. This special diet helps them find plenty of food. It also means they don't have to compete with many other animals for food. Oak leaves make up more than 85% of their diet. This makes big-eared woodrats different from other Neotoma species. Other woodrats usually eat a more mixed diet of various plant species.
Big-Eared Woodrat Health
Scientists have studied the big-eared woodrat's health. They found that these woodrats can carry a type of virus. This virus was once thought to be mainly carried by the California mouse. However, it seems the big-eared woodrat can pass this virus to the California mouse.
Are Big-Eared Woodrats in Danger?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature says the big-eared woodrat is a least-concern species. This means they are not currently in great danger. However, there are growing worries about their future. Their homes are being lost and broken up. This is especially true in Southern California due to urbanization (cities growing).
Losing their habitat is a concern for a few reasons:
- It could lead to fewer woodrats in the future.
- Big-eared woodrats are an important food source for predatory birds. If woodrat numbers drop, it could affect these birds too.
