Eastern Woodrat
From Florida north to New York, west to Colorado, south to the gulf coast of Texas including all intervening regions. They are found primarily in wooded areas but also live in marshes, grasslands and coastal plains.
Eastern woodrat
Reproduction
Gestation lasts approximately 35 days, with litter size averaging 3.2 and ranging from one to seven. Breeding season varies with geographic location. Some southern populations breed throughout the year. Females breed shortly after giving birth and may have three litters per year. Offspring become independent at about two months. Females reach reproductive maturity at about six months. Some females breed in the same year they are born. Males take more than a year to reach sexual maturity.
Behavior
Eastern woodrats can live more than three years, a long time for a rodent of their size. They construct ‘houses’ out of sticks, bones, leaves and other materials. These structures are often formed in rock crevices or between the roots of a large tree. In grasslands, ‘houses’ are constructed in the open. Inside these dwellings there are generally two or three nests made from leaves, grasses, shredded wood and occasionally feathers. Owls, skunks, weasels and snakes are the major predators of this species. When foraging, woodrats stay close to their dwellings. Woodrats are nocturnal and solitary except during breeding seasons. Like many small nocturnal mammals, woodrats are more active on nights without bright moonlight. Presumably this preference is due to the protection from predators that darkness affords. Although they spend most of their time on the ground, they are excellent climbers.
Food Habits
Woodrats are almost exclusively herbivorous, eating leaves, bark, fruits and seeds. Acorns are stored for the winter in many populations. Diet varies considerably with geographic location. Woodrats gnaw on bones; it is thought that this behavior serves to sharpen their teeth, although it may also provide minerals that are otherwise scarce in the woodrat’s diet. Woodrats do not need to drink water; they are capable of obtaining sufficient water from solid foods. 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.
