Description: A medium-sized rodent (head and body: 18 - 25 cm
[7-10 in.]; tail: 13 - 19 cm [5 - 7 in.]) with a fairly bushy, squirrel-like tail. The dorsal coloration varies from pale gray to black, but often it is light brownish and peppered with black hairs. The ventral coloration is whitish. There are no stripes or other marks, and the overall appearance is uniformly smooth. The only other species of rodent in southern Nevada that could be confused with this species is the rock squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus). However, the woodrat is smaller than the rock squirrel, has a less bushy tail, has a uniformly smooth appearance (rather than mottling), occurs at higher elevations, and is nocturnal. This woodrat nests high in trees and probably produces 1 - 2 litters of 2 - 6 offspring during spring and summer.
Diet: Green vegetation, twigs, nuts, seeds, mushrooms; also animal
matter often in the form of carrion. Collects and stores food.
Habitat: Higher elevation coniferous forests, rocky areas, and rimrock.
Range: Western North America from southern Alaska south to southern Nevada, northern Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico. This subspecies occurs across northern and eastern Nevada, and south to the Sheep Mountains. A separate population occurs in the Spring Mountains from Mt. Charleston to Mt. Potosi.
Comments: Also referred to as packrat or trade rat. Packrats are attracted to small shiny objects, which they will collect and deposit on the surface of their nests.