Eastern Woodrat
Neotoma floridana
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderRodentia (Rodents)
- FamilyCricetidae (Hamsters, Voles, Lemmings, and Allies)
- GenusNeotoma (Woodrats)
- SpeciesNeotoma floridana (Eastern Woodrat)
About the Eastern Woodrat
The eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana), also known as the Florida woodrat or bush rat, is a pack rat native to the central and Eastern United States. It constructs large dens that may serve as nests for many generations and stores food in outlying caches for the winter. While widespread and not uncommon, it has declined or disappeared in several areas.
Eight subspecies of the eastern woodrat are currently recognized: N. f. illinoensis, N. f. floridana (the nominate), N. f. smalli, N. f. baileyi, N. f. pennsylvanica, N. f. attwateri, N. f. osagensis, and N. f. rubida. Of these, the Key Largo woodrat (N. f. smalli) is classified as endangered by the IUCN. The Allegheny woodrat (N. magister) was previously considered a subspecies but was elevated to species status based on comparative mitochondrial DNA analyses. Subspecies are thought to be descended from one species living along the Appalachian Plateau, which subsequently spread out through the Coastal Plain.
The eastern woodrat is a rodent of medium size, with an average length of 21.2 centimetres (8.3 in) and weight of 245 grams (0.540 lb), but grows up to 17 inches (43 cm) long. The body is short and... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Eastern Woodrat in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Southern Red-backed Vole
Myodes gapperi
Golden Mouse
Ochrotomys nuttalli
Rock Vole
Microtus chrotorrhinus
Pine Vole
Microtus pinetorum
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
American Red Squirrel
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Eastern Chipmunk
Tamias striatus
American Beaver
Castor canadensis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Everglades National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Eastern Woodrat in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Eastern Woodrat sighting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based on 10 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Eastern Woodrat in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for Eastern Woodrat in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in our monthly data.