Allen’s Woodrat
Description
Rat-like in form with a long and narrow head. Upperparts reddish brown to dusky brown. Underparts white to buff. Tail is sparsely haired and ranges from dusky to white. Total body length ranges from 368-445, with tail lengths of 158-206. No information on social systems is available. Nesting appears to occur at the base of trees and under other cover. Calls have been herd at sundown as a series of staccato “chooks.”
Diet
Has been found to eat coco-oil seeds along with other types of seeds, and possibly also land crabs. In captivity they should be offered a complete diet of rodent lab blocks, and rat or mouse mix, with bits of fruit or veggies regularly. Cheerios or wheat bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed chocolate, fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may enjoy crickets and mealworms if they are captive bred, never feed wild insects as they may carry parasites. Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and added calcium during nursing and growth due to demands on their systems at those times, but take care not to overdo it. Water bottles should be used to proved constant, clean water. Ceramic or stoneware food dishes work well for keeping seeds or fresh foods off the floor, and a wire mesh hopper that allows them to eat the lab blocks through without extra waste.
Habitat
Habitat ranges from dry wooded slopes, tropical deciduous forest, rocky outcrops to dense scrub. Local populations can be very dense.
Reproduction
Little is known about the reproductive habits of this species. Females have been reported with 1-2 offspring, and juveniles have been captured at different times in the year.
