Nelson's woodrat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nelson's woodrat |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Neotoma
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| Species: |
nelsoni
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Nelson's woodrat (Neotoma nelsoni) is a special type of rodent found only in Mexico. It belongs to the Cricetidae family, which includes many mice, rats, and hamsters. This small animal lives in a very specific and tiny area. Because its home is so small and its population is low, Nelson's woodrat is in great danger of becoming extinct. Its groups are also separated, which means they can't easily mix and share genes.
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Where Nelson's Woodrat Lives
The Nelson's woodrat can only be found on the eastern slopes of two volcanoes in Mexico. These volcanoes are called Pico de Orizaba and Cofre de Perote. The total area where this woodrat lives is about 1,350 square kilometers. This small home includes steep hillsides, coffee farms, and a special kind of cloud forest.
- Elevation: They live at heights from 970 to 2,770 meters above sea level.
- Climate: The weather in their home is warm and humid.
- Rainfall: It rains throughout the entire year in this area.
- Plants: Their habitat is a tropical rainforest, full of many different plants.
What Nelson's Woodrat Looks Like
Nelson's woodrat has some unique features that help identify it.
- Upper Body:
- It has a cinnamon-colored fur on its back.
- Its throat is white, and its cheeks are a grayish-brown color.
- The fur is short and feels very silky.
- Its nose area is shaped like a wedge.
- Lower Body:
- The tail has many colors and looks scaly.
- Its toes are an off-white color.
How Big Are They?
Here are the average sizes for Nelson's woodrat:
- Total Length: About 300 millimeters (which is 30 centimeters or about 12 inches).
- Tail Length: The tail alone is about 143 millimeters long.
- Hindfoot Length: Its back foot measures about 30 millimeters.
- Ear Length: Its ears are about 22 millimeters long.
Dangers to Nelson's Woodrat
Nelson's woodrat faces serious dangers that threaten its survival. These threats include changes to its home and new animals moving into its area.
- Farming: In Mexico, more and more land is being used for agriculture (farming). This means that the forests and natural areas where Nelson's woodrat lives are being cut down. When their homes are destroyed, these woodrats have nowhere to go.
- New Species: Invasive species are plants or animals that are not native to an area. When they arrive, they can cause harm. Some of these new species might be predators that hunt Nelson's woodrat, making it harder for them to survive.
