Woodrats can become quite a nuisance, getting into everything from attics to car engines, stealing their treasures, damaging electrical wiring and wreaking general, noisy havoc. A massive complex Pleistocene packrat midden in the alcove in the center of the image in a cave in eastern Nevada. Photo: USGS. In the deserts, nests are often constructed in or around cactus. The nest provides both shelter from extremes of desert temperatures and protection from predators by using cactus pads and cactus spines in the construction.
Such construction methods help keep the nest much cooler than the surrounding desert floor in summer, while helping retain the animals' body heat in winter. The nests of desert-dwelling woodrats, often built in and of cholla and beavertail cactus, are usually impregnable to predators, except for the badger or gila monster thanks Jerrold J.
Feldner - see comment below. The woodrat is most vulnerable when out foraging for food, at which times a coyote, fox, snake or owl may prey upon it. Primarily nocturnal and vegetarian, desert woodrats survive on a diet of spiny cactus, yucca pods, bark, berries, pinyon nuts, seeds and any available green vegetation. They rely on succulent plants for their water, since they do not have the refined metabolic and water conservation capabilities of pocket mice or kangaroo rats.
They are one of the few animals that can navigate with impunity between cactus spines to feed on the juicy pads. The reproductive habits of rodents are extremely variable in the wild and can become even more so when domesticated.
Most are born naked and helpless and are cared for in nests. Some desert female woodrats have been known to deliver up to five litters per year with as many as five young per litter. The young may open their eyes at days and are usually weaned between 14 and 42 days. Most become sexually mature after 60 days. If the litter is especially large, the mother woodrat may die after weaning.
Most rodents are polygamous and some mate for the duration of a single breeding season. Pack rats give birth to much smaller litters than other rats, producing only two or three offspring at a time, so in theory an infestation should be more manageable. However, they live much longer than other rats, with an average lifespan of about three years, so can stick around. Resolving your pest problem is our 1 priority. If re-treatment is required, we'll provide immediate services at no extra cost.
If your expectations are not met, we guarantee a full refund of your service payment. We work hard to listen, understand and assess your unique situation. Request a free, no-obligation estimate today for a customized pest program that fits your needs. Residential Commercial. Pack rats. Identification Colour Brownish grey Size About 30 cm long, nose to tail Also known as Wood rats Description Have large eyes and long whiskers, with tails that are half the length of their body.
Its underbelly is a lighter colour. How to identify pack rats Pack rats, also known as woodrats, have large eyes and long whiskers. Signs of an infestation These animals typically live in seasonal homes or outbuildings like barns or sheds.
Pack rats Removal Prevention methods decrease the chance that pack rats will make it into homes. How can I prevent pack rats invading? Diet Pack rats eat vegetation, seeds, nuts, and fruits. Life Cycle Breeding occurs in spring. Commonly Asked Questions Why do I have pack rats? Popular places for nests include rocky ledges as well as the bases or branches of trees.
They are vegetarian and survive on a wide array of plants. Due to their curious, scavenging nature, wood rats can end up in attics, cabins, sheds, and even vehicle engines. They damage electrical wiring and, living up to their name, pack up and make off with small objects like jewelry, utensils, nails, and screws.
They will also rip out the padding of outdoor cushions and pillows to use as lining for their nests. More seriously, the pests can carry diseases, including plague.
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