Eastern Woodrat (neotoma floridana) The eastern woodrat is present across most of south-eastern USA. It can be found in southern Illinois and south through Kentucky and Tennessee to Alabama. Further east, it is seen in south-western North Carolina, through South Carolina and Georgia, and in northern and central Florida. The species also occurs as far west as Colorado and eastern Texas. The eastern woodrat is a habitat generalist found in a range of different habitats, from coastal to mountain regions. It is often found in rocky areas, and is known to nest under rocks and boulders. In woodland areas, the eastern woodrat will nest beneath hollow logs or stumps and piles of wooden debris Length: 11.8" - 17.7" Males weigh around 10.5oz. on average, with females generally weighing less than 8.8oz. Eastern woodrats have large, rounded, leaf-like ears that are nearly hairless. They have large black eyes, long whiskers and white paws. The tail is hairy, dark brown above and white below, and is slightly shorter in length than the body and head combined. The eastern woodrat is short-haired and bi-colored, with a brownish-grey back and a creamy white belly. Eastern woodrats are nocturnal and are active all year round. Their occupancy of an area can be identified by the presence of a large bulky nest with a nearby 'latrine' consisting of a pile of droppings. Eastern woodrats nest in a range of different locations, including hollow trees and logs, man-made structures and natural underground chambers. They also build extensive stick structures to nest inside, which vary in shape and size depending on the location. The species has also been called the packrat because of its tendency to build these bulky structures out of sticks. The 'houses' are built as effective protection from rain and cold, and usually measure between 1.5' and 3' in height. More than one eastern woodrat nest may be found inside each structure, which is continually maintained and added to. The inside of the nest is filled with material shredded by the woodrat using its teeth, and shaped using its head and forefeet. Eastern woodrats produce relatively few young compared to most similarly sized rodents. They breed 2 or 3 times per year, with the female eastern woodrat giving birth to a litter of 1 to 6 pups, after a gestation period of around 35 days. A litter most commonly contains two pups. Woodrats are born nearly naked, blind, helpless, and unsteady, with their incisors already erupted. Young eastern woodrats attach themselves to their mother’s teats for up to four weeks, only rarely letting go, and may get dragged along the ground. Eastern woodrats are born blind and with almost no hair. Young eastern woodrats go through a rapid transformation in the first few weeks, and are fully furred with their eyes open after about 15 days. Weaning occurs at about four weeks, their weight increases rapidly until the end of the third month, and they are fully grown and start breeding when they are around eight months old. The eastern woodrat is an opportunistic feeder, eating all types of vegetation including berries, stems, seeds, buds, tubers, nuts and mushrooms. While they are almost entirely herbivorous, they do sometimes eat insects. They are good climbers, and have been known to forage in trees. The eastern woodrat stores food throughout the winter months in its nest, with some plants left on rocks, possibly for drying to keep over winter. Food storing starts around September or October, and although foraging does occur throughout the winter months, the majority of food found then is consumed on the spot. I captured this one in a live trap inside my residence. Although I thought it was a fine looking critter, I had no desire to share my "nest" with it, lol. The photo was taken after releasing it at a safe location . It immediately scurried up a tree and scrutinized me from the safety of some lower limbs. Thanks to all who have taken the time to comment on one of my postings. The feedback is appreciated. I hope everyone who has clicked on one of them was pleased with having done so. Lee